Lock Nathan Sharpe will undergo shoulder surgery and miss Australia's Grand Slam rugby tour of Britain and Ireland.
Sharpe hasn't played since damaging his left shoulder in a Tri-Nations loss to New Zealand here in August, but had remained hopeful of recovering in time for the end-of-season tour that includes tests against New Zealand at Japan in October, as well a tour of England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales in November.
"I had a period from when I injured it to this camp to try and get it right and it's just not improving," Sharpe told the Australian Associated Press on the sidelines of a Wallabies trial match at Sydney on Thursday.
"Obviously there is a structural element to it.
"The surgeon will get in there and have a look at it and he will assess what he needs to do."
Australia coach Robbie Deans will announced a 35-man tour squad on Friday.
Sharpe will undergo surgery on Monday and be sidelined for between three and six months.
AP