Australia’s quest for a maiden win on their end-of-year tour has suffered a hammer blow with news that arguably their best player will miss Saturday’s Test against Wales due to an injury.

Captain Michael Hooper hobbled off during the second half of Australia’s loss to England and scans have subsequently revealed he suffered a grade-two mid-foot sprain.

The champion flank will remain with the squad this week before returning to Sydney with the rest of the Wallabies on Sunday.

Officials say there’s been no timeline placed on Hooper’s recovery given the Wales clash is Australia’s last match of the year.

Hooper’s value to the Wallabies was underlined on Monday when he was shortlisted for the 2021 World Rugby Player of the Year award, alongside teammate Samu Kerevi, England lock Maro Itoje and France scrumhalf Antoine Dupont.

Following defeats by Scotland (15-13) and England (32-15) over the past fortnight, the Wallabies now head to the Millennium Stadium hoping to avoid a first winless end-of-year tour of Europe since 1976 without their inspirational captain to lead from the front.