Wales v Australia: WillGriff John and Will Rowlands ruled out of Wallabies match

WillGriff John lasted only seven minutes having made his first start for Wales against Fiji

Wales forwards WillGriff John and Will Rowlands have been ruled out of Saturday's game against Australia after suffering head injuries against Fiji.

Scarlets prop John and Dragons lock Rowlands were both forced off with concussion during Wales' 38-23 victory.

The pair will not be fit for the final autumn Test with the Wallabies.

There will be late fitness tests for Josh Adams (calf), Tomas Francis (concussion) and Aaron Wainwright (shoulder).

However, head coach Wayne Pivac has had one piece of positive player fitness news this week with hooker Elliot Dee having overcome a neck injury to return to the national squad ahead of the Australia encounter.

Wales already have a lengthy casualty list that includes British and Irish Lions Alun Wyn Jones, Ken Owens, George North, Leigh Halfpenny, Taulupe Faletau, Justin Tipuric, Josh Navidi, Ross Moriarty and Dan Lydiate.

Humphreys indicated Wales were missing 15 frontline forwards this weekend with the likes of James Botham, Josh Macleod, Leon Brown, Samson Lee and James Davies also missing.

"There's a team here who are battered and bruised off the back of the most challenging autumn they've ever had," said Humphreys.

"We're extremely lucky to be playing the top three sides in the world and then Fiji who pose a massive physical challenge.

"It's been brilliant for us in terms of finding out about people who can add to our depth. Those injuries we've had have forced players to play who probably wouldn't have played much.

"So rather than look at the negatives of we're missing all these people, the bigger picture is telling us we've got a team that can fight toe to toe with all those injuries and that's a huge positive for us.

"The tanks right now are low, but I know come the weekend we're going to be right and be ready for the fight against one of the best teams in the world."

The six-day turnaround between internationals means John and Rowlands are short of time to go through the return-to-play protocols.

John had taken over from Francis to earn his first start, but left the field after only seven minutes.

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Francis, 29, was due to win his 60th cap, but was unavailable after suffering a concussion in training on Friday.

That meant Scarlets tight-head John won just his second cap having come off the bench for his debut in the 23-18 defeat by South Africa.

However, John departed early to be replaced by Dillon Lewis, who had been promoted to the replacements' bench after regular tight-head Francis' withdrawal.

No regular tight-head has been called into the squad with Humphreys stating Scarlets prop Lee is injured as he recovers from a back problem, with Leon Brown also sidelined.

One possible option would be to ask loose-head Wyn Jones to cover the number three role if Wales ran out of specialists.

"We've had Wyn Jones who covered tight-head in the last World Cup, so we would be in that situation if it comes that way," added Humphreys.

"The people outside who could possibly be called in are all injured as well. It's one of those. It is a testing time. In terms of resources, we are probably as deep as we can go in nearly all positions.

"It is what it is, I'm sure we'll find a way to find a way to fight our way out of it."

Wales also lost lock Rowlands to a head knock as the game wore on, prompting a debut for Exeter's 19-year-old Christ Tshiunza.

Seb Davies, Ben Carter and Rhys Davies are the other lock options in the squad to partner British and Irish Lion Adam Beard.

Adams suffered a calf injury in the warm-up before Sunday's win against Fiji.

The Cardiff wing had been due to play in the unfamiliar outside centre role so Nick Tompkins' introduction gave the Wales midfield greater experience in that role.

Tompkins' place on the bench was filled by Willhis Halaholo.