NSW Waratahs coach Chris Hickey is confident his young players will step up amid the crisis facing his fast-disappearing forward pack.

Thursday's serious injuries to front-row pair Matt Dunning and Sekope Kepu while on Wallabies' duty against the Barbarians in London has left Hickey's forward stocks looking decidedly thin.

Dunning ruptured an Achilles tendon in the final fixture of Australia's spring tour and faces six months on the sidelines while Kepu has torn a pectoral muscle and could have a similar period out of the game.

The injuries add to Hickey's woes with Wallabies Dan Vickerman and Rocky Elsom having left for Europe.

Another Wallaby, Wycliff Palu is awaiting scan results on his own injured shoulder and could also be ruled out for months.

But Hickey said while losing so much quality to injury was a blow, he was confident in his team's ability to fill the gaps.

"It's always disappointing to see those sort of injuries, particularly in the last game of the tour," he said.

"The experience we've lost you can't buy unfortunately but we've also got plenty of good young players who we're confident of their ability to step up."

Hickey identified young props Dan Palmer and Jeremy Tilse as the men most likely to fill Dunning and Kepu's boots and said former rugby league star Timana Tahu should be back training after Christmas.

Brought to you by AAP © 2024 AAP