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Wallabies coach John Connolly has not ruled out calling up former Test scrumhalf Chris Whitaker to the national side to shore up his halfback ranks.
Already the Wallabies have lost Sam Cordingley (foot) and Josh Valentine (ankle), while captain George Gregan will most likely be rested for Australia's eight-match tour of Europe in order to have him fully fit for next year's World Cup.
Connolly admitted he may have to dig deep to cover his problems at the Wallabies scrumbase.
"It hasn't been discussed but I'm sure (Whitaker) would be a consideration," Connolly told the Daily Telegraph.
"Especially if George doesn't tour and all those others are injured."
Josh Holmes and Brett Sheehan have both been training with the Wallabies in Canberra, with one of the pair expected to make their national debut against the All Blacks next weekend.
But given the inexperience of the pair, Whitaker, who has played 24 Tests for the Wallabies, may yet be called up given his international experience.
Cordingley meanwhile faces surgery on his fractured foot, which may see him out for six months, but the 30-year-old remains hopeful he will be fit for the Wallabies tour to Italy, Ireland, Scotland and Wales.
"I had a CT scan and it showed up a fracture but the specialist doesn't recommend surgery at this stage," Cordingley said.
"He's told me to stay off it for a month and hopefully it settles down.
"I'm always cutting it fine but I'm quietly confident I'll be right for November."