O'Connor runs out of time

Wallabies utility back James O'Connor will not be available for the Test matches against Wales and Scotland in June as he has to wait four weeks to return to contact training due to his lacerated liver.

The Rebels star injured himself in a collision with Berrick Barnes in the Melbourne team's clash with the Waratahs on April 21, and was hoping to make it back in time but the severity of the injury means that he will have to have another scan in a month's time before he can be cleared to take the field.

"Disappointing result - Liver healing very nicely jst going to run out of time...if only I had a couple more weeks up my sleeve," he tweeted.

Australia take on Scotland on June 5, before facing Wales in a three Test series finishing on June 23.

O'Connor's Rebels teamate Kurtley Beale has impressed at flyhalf in his absence and would appear to be one of the frontrunners for the position in Wallaby coach Robbie Deans' team, although incumbent Quade Cooper returned from long-term injury on Saturday and could prove his fitness in time to take the gold No.10 jersey.