Argentina’s Rugby Championship hopes have taken a major hit with flyhalf Tomas Albornoz ruled out of next month’s double-header against Australia.

The 27-year-old dislocated a finger in Argentina’s historic 29-23 victory over the All Blacks in Buenos Aires, the Pumas’ first-ever home win against New Zealand. Albornoz, who left the field early after a teammate stood on his hand, has been central to the team’s resurgence and will now miss the clashes in Townsville on 6 September and Sydney a week later.

MATCH REPORT: Los Pumas stun All Blacks in Buenos Aires

His absence leaves coach Felipe Contepomi without his first-choice playmaker and goal kicker at a time when Argentina are dreaming of a serious tilt at the Rugby Championship crown.

While the Pumas absorb the blow, the Wallabies are also counting the cost of a brutal fortnight. Fullback Tom Wright faces a lengthy layoff with an ACL injury, while scrumhalf Nic White and centre Joseph Suaalii were both concussed in Saturday’s 30-22 defeat to the Springboks in Cape Town. Prop Taniela Tupou dislocated a finger in the same match.

Australia had already lost captain Harry Wilson (knee), James Slipper (concussion) and Dylan Pietsch (broken jaw) in Johannesburg a week earlier, while flyhalf Ben Donaldson (groin) and several other key players were ruled out before the tour.

Both sides will head into their back-to-back Tests bruised and depleted, but for Argentina, the loss of Albornoz could be season-defining.

Photo: Dirk Kotze/Gallo Images