1 Oct 2014

Wallabies lose luggage

11:15 am on 1 October 2014

The Wallabies have endured more suffering on their trek from Cape Town, with the squad's luggage not making it to Buenos Aires.

After leaving Cape Town at 4.30am on Monday, the Wallabies arrived in Argentina almost 24 hours later with only their carry-on bags.

Wallabies captain Michael Hooper and fly-half Bernard Foley, Eden Park, 2014.

Wallabies captain Michael Hooper and fly-half Bernard Foley, Eden Park, 2014. Photo: PHOTOSPORT

Players and officials were walking around the team hotel in slippers and the same attire as they left South Africa in as they awaited the arrival of their gear, including training kits and equipment.

Coach Ewen McKenzie was giving his charges most of the day off to relax and recover from the weekend's torrid clash with the Springboks before completing their Rugby Championship campaign this weekend against the Pumas in Mendoza.

The taxing three-flight journey from Cape Town to Buenos Aires is one of the toughest in world sport but prop Sekope Kepu says the Wallabies just had to suck it up and cop the latest hit on the chin.

He says it's not ideal that their luggage and all that stuff's not here, but that's life; you've just got to get through it.

The Wallabies' lack of depth was badly exposed at Newlands, where their reserves were completely out-gunned by the Springboks' bench in the final quarter of the match.

Injuries have compounded the task, with number eight Ben McCalman ruled out with a shoulder strain, and inside centre Matt Toomua and lock Rob Simmons both doubtful as they recover from head knocks.

Back row enforcer Scott Higginbotham is likely to be promoted from the bench to replace McCalman, while playmaker Kurtley Beale may replace Toomua in the starting side if the ACT Brumbies centre fails to recover.

The Pumas almost upset the Wallabies with a late blitz on the Gold Coast in their first clash of the Championship and will fancy themselves to topple the wounded tourists for their first win after nearly three years of frustration in the tournament.