The Wallabies hooker Stephen Moore admits Australia's quest to win a first Tri-Nations rugby title in a decade would be hurt by the dropping of wayward teamate James O'Connor.
O'Connor is expected to be stood down from Saturday night's series-deciding Test against New Zealand in Brisbane after failing to turn up at the Wallabies' World Cup squad announcement last week.
The Australian Rugby Union is set to decide the 21-year-old utility back's fate in the next 24 hours after receiving an explanation from his management.
O'Connor has apologised and offered to accept any punishment for missing the announcement after a night on the town in Sydney.
The incident has taken attention away from Saturday night's sold-out encounter and is likely to force the Wallabies into a backline reshuffle as well as finding a new goalkicker.
Moore played down the incident as a major distraction to the Wallabies but concedes O'Connor will be sorely missed if he doesn't play.
