Wallabies missed Horne says Phipps

The Wallabies say the foundation of their backline was shaken without their "rock" Rob Horne, who was forced off early in their opening Test loss to England.

The new Australian vice-captain suffered a head knock midway through the first half of the Brisbane Test and he was unable to return in the 39-28 defeat.

It meant the Wallabies were without a specialist winger, with Christian Lealiifano replacing Horne on the edge.

Halfback Nick Phipps said it wasn't just Horne's zip that they missed.

"Horney's always been that rock for us there and as the vice captain he's such a spiritual leader for us," Phipps said.

"He doesn't say a lot but when he does everyone really listens to him and he controls that backline defence and he also has that aura around him in the downtime to be able to tell us what we're doing right or wrong."

Despite suffering concussion, the 26-year-old Waratah flew with the team to Melbourne ahead of the second Test at AAMI Park on Saturday night.

Phipps said he was confident his teammate would be right to play.

Apart from David Pocock, who is sidelined with a fractured eye socket, the Wallabies' other injury concern is lock Rob Simmons.

He also travelled with the squad however is only rated an outside chance of recovering from a back injury in time for the Test.