Len Ikitau's World Cup campaign on tenterhooks after scans confirm broken shoulder
Len Ikitau is facing up to eight weeks on the sidelines after he suffered a fractured scapula during Australia's loss to Argentina in the Rugby Championship.
Ikitau scored the opening try of the match for the Wallabies but was hit hard by a rival Pumas player and left clutching his shoulder afterwards.
The star centre tried to play on but was substituted in the 17th minute and later taken to hospital where scans determined he'd suffered a break.
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Rugby Australia confirmed Ikitau would be out for six to eight weeks on Sunday morning.
"We're disappointed Lenny's injured," coach Eddie Jones said immediately after the match.
Len Ikitau of the Wallabies holds his shoulder after scoring a try during the Rugby Championship match between the Australia and Argentina. Jason McCawley via Getty Images
"He'll have all the scans that need to be had but certainly didn't look like a good sort of an injury. But we'll wait and see."
Although there is enough time for Ikitau to recover and make the plane to this year's Rugby World Cup, it potentially poses a selection headache for Eddie Jones.
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Ikitau will likely go into the tournament without any match fitness beyond the first match of the Rugby Championship against South Africa and the few minutes he played against Argentina.
The ACT Brumbies product has played his last 13 Tests for the Wallabies at outside centre.
After Ikitau's departure, Carter Gordon came onto the field and moved to inside centre with Samu Kerevi shifting to the outside.
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