MELBOURNE :Australia's backline stocks have taken another hit before their pivotal Rugby Championship test against New Zealand on Saturday with fullback Andrew Kellaway ruled out of the Eden Park clash due to a calf strain.

Kellaway's blow follows fullback Tom Wright's season-ending knee injury in the 30-22 defeat by South Africa in Cape Town last month.

Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt has already lost one of the team's most important players in back row enforcer Rob Valetini for Eden Park, where Australia are winless since 1986.

Kellaway's absence is another setback, with the 45-test back in good form in the last match against Argentina, scoring a try and setting up two others in the 28-26 defeat in Sydney.

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