Wales are worried about the fitness of Aaron Wainwright (number 8) for the second test on Saturday against Australia in Melbourne
Wainwright, who won his 50th international cap when Wales suffered a 25-16 defeat in their series opener last weekend, suffered a leg injury and was forced to leave the field in the closing stages.
“We are waiting for further assessment,” said Welsh assistant coach Rob Howley.
“He was outstanding (in the first test). His running technique, his footwork, he often put us in the lead.
“We are waiting for the assessment of the medical team.”
If Wainwright is ruled out, it would be a major blow to Welsh head coach Warren Gatland, who has suffered eight consecutive test defeats.
Wales have not won a friendly since beating Georgia in the group stages of the 2023 World Cup and Gatland’s team are slowly approaching the record run of ten defeats they achieved in 2002 and 2003, when fellow New Zealander Steve Hansen was in charge.
Full-back Liam Williams, winger Josh Hathaway and striker Gareth Thomas also suffered injuries during the match against Sydney, so Gatland is expected to announce his starting eleven on Thursday.
“Liam Williams will hopefully be available for selection. We are waiting for him,” added Howley.
“Gareth Thomas had a slightly numb leg, he was back in training today. Josh Hathaway is being monitored, he has a bump on his arm.
“I keep my fingers crossed that the substituted players will be available for selection.”
For Wales, the defeat in Sydney was the 12th consecutive loss to the Wallabies on Australian soil. The team had not won there since 1969.
But it looks like Gatland will keep changes to a minimum unless forced to do so by injuries.
“It’s an important game,” Howley said. “There’s a lot of disappointment and frustration in the camp. We want to do our best.”
“Everyone is highly motivated. That’s how you come out of a friendly match when you lose.”
“I think we did really well to come back into the game with 18:16. We can of course talk about the experience and what we have learned, but we have to start winning friendly matches.”