A four-way shootout is poised to decide who wears the Wallabies' No. 15 jersey with a broken arm set to leave Tom Banks racing the clock for Australia's Spring Tour opener.
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Banks will miss the remainder of the Rugby Championship with a right forearm fracture, leaving Dave Rennie to find a new man to fill the void for a clash with Argentina in Townsville on Saturday.
James O'Connor is being considered for a Test return at fullback which would set up a once unimaginable Wallabies reunion with Quade Cooper in what would be the former's first game since May.
Reece Hodge filled the void when Banks came off the field in the 28th minute of the Wallabies' win over South Africa this past Saturday, which saw Australia rise to No. 3 in the world rankings.
Hodge was found out under the high ball during an indifferent showing, while winger Andrew Kellaway and utility Jordan Petaia emerging as the other options at Rennie's disposal.
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"It looks like there's a fracture there so Banksy will be out for a period of time," Wallabies forwards coach Dan McKellar said upon the squad's arrival in Townsville.
"Exactly how many weeks, I couldn't give you that at the moment. He won't play any more part in the Rugby Championship.
"I think James is certainly an option there. Plenty of other guys, obviously Hodgey came on there on Saturday night, and Andrew Kellaway has played there as well, Petaia. There's a number of options, and Dave and the selectors will finalise that over the next couple of days."
Banks' stint was among his finest in a Wallabies jersey before he was taken from the field after injuring his arm in a tackle.
The 27-year-old may still feature in Rennie's plans for the Spring Tour, and as such may travel with the squad to Japan ahead of a clash with the Brave Blossoms in Oita on October 23.
The Oita match serves as the Wallabies' final outing before travelling to Edinburgh to kick off their Spring Tour against Scotland at Murrayfield on November 7. Games against England at Twickenham and Wales at Millennium Stadium will follow.
A possible six-week recovery timeframe would allow Banks to press his claims for a place in the Wallabies' squad at Murrayfield, either at fullback or on the bench.
First the Wallabies will look to keep their Rugby Championship hopes alive against the Pumas at North Queensland Stadium.
"I think they'll chance their arm a little bit more [than South Africa] in attack, they've got some threats out wide, and they like to have a crack from counter attack. Defensively, we'll need to be on our game," McKellar said.
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