Wallabies spring tour mainstay Mark Chisholm has conceded he would need a miracle to play any part in the Tri-Nations series.

Chisholm played in every match of Australia's 2008 end-of-year tour but has been sidelined since suffering a fractured wrist playing for the Brumbies against the Cheetahs in South Africa in April.

The 27-year-old established himself, at least temporarily, as the Wallabies' No.3 lock on the tour after he replaced the injured James Horwill and packed down with Nathan Sharpe.

He went on to join Luke Burgess and Dean Mumm as the only players to feature against all of New Zealand, Italy, England, France, Wales and the Barbarians on the spring trip.

Chisholm is now targeting the Brumbies' four-match development tour of France, which will feature matches against Sonny Bill Williams' Toulon and Craig Gower's Bayonne, beginning later this month.

"I've probably got about four or five weeks to go at this stage," Chisholm told AAP.

"Next week it could be a couple of steps ahead of where it is now, but who knows?

"It's heartbreaking, not only missing the Test season but the rest of the Super 14 season, I'm pretty cranky about that.

"I'd like to think that the team needs me but I won't count on it."

The 40-Test veteran has stayed in touch with the Wallabies' medical staff through team doctor Warren McDonald, who is also the Brumbies' medico.

Chisholm is amongst a group of big names who will be unavailable for the Wallabies' Tri-Nations squad to be announced on Thursday.

Queensland trio Hugh McMeniman (ankle), Digby Ioane (shoulder) and Will Genia (ankle) will remain sidelined during the series.

NSW young guns Rob Horne and Kurtley Beale (both hamstring) are still unavailable after injuring themselves at the Junior World Cup.

Horne's injury is expected to keep him sidelined for 6-7 weeks.

Fringe Wallabies hooker Adam Freier has still not returned to club rugby after tearing a bicep muscle in March.

McMeniman's loss is a blow with blindside flankers Rocky Elsom (leg) and Matt Hodgson (shoulder) also struggling for fitness.

Mumm, who has emerged as the Wallabies' No.3 lock this year, and Chisholm's Brumbies teammate Peter Kimlin have covered No.6 since Hodgson injured himself in the first match of the international season, against the Barbarians in June.

"I back Peter Kimlin, I think Peter Kimlin's an exceptional player," Chisholm said.

"Given the chance, although he's young at Super 14 and Wallabies level, in a couple of years he'll be very powerful and he can run the ball.

"He's extremely talented."

Brought to you by AAP © 2024 AAP