Wallabies Hooper, Alaalatoa under World Cup injury clouds

Wallabies coach Eddie Jones said on Saturday co-captain Michael Hooper was "a long way" from fitness just weeks out from the World Cup with Allan Alaalatoa also under a cloud after an achilles injury against the All Blacks.

Veteran flanker Hooper picked up what was described as a minor calf injury in training ahead of their clash with Argentina a fortnight ago.

He missed the game and their 38-7 defeat to the All Blacks in Melbourne.

"He's a long way away," Jones said of Hooper. Asked if he would be ready for the World Cup in France in September, he replied: "We'll have to wait and see.

"He's got a serious injury and when you have a serious injury there are deadlines and we need to find out the deadline."

Alaalatoa stood in as skipper against New Zealand, but was caught awkwardly in a scrum in the first half.

He was in obvious pain and had to be stretchered off.

"He's got a fairly serious injury I would suggest, achilles," said Jones.

Adding to their misery, fellow tighthead prop Taniela Tupou also left the field with a painful rib problem.