All Blacks: Barnes out of Bledisloe Test

TOKYO - Wallabies vice-captain Berrick Barnes has been ruled out of Saturday's Bledisloe Cup Test against the All Blacks after rolling his left ankle at training in Tokyo on Thursday.

Barnes was taken to hospital for x-rays which will determine whether or not he is able to remain with the Wallabies for their grand slam tour of the UK and Ireland.

Should he be sent back to Australia, it would be a devastating personal blow to the 23-year-old midfield general, as well as a huge setback to the Wallabies' grand slam chances.

Barnes lasted less than 20 minutes of last year's spring tour of Europe before breaking down with a knee injury against Italy that required an early journey home.

Barnes' scratching has prompted coach Robbie Deans to reshuffle his backline, promoting teenager James O'Connor from the bench to start at fullback and moving Adam Ashley-Cooper to inside centre.

- AAP