Matt Dunning snapped an Achilles tendon and Sekope Kepu tore a pectoral muscle as the Wallabies scored a torrid win over the Barbarians in their spring tour-ending rugby match at Wembley Stadium on Wednesday night.
What was meant to be a friendly encounter to mark 100 years since Australia won the rugby gold medal at the 1908 London Olympics developed into a brutal affair punctuated by fights and serious injuries.
Australia eventually claimed an 18-11 victory but it was scant consolation for Dunning and Kepu, who face lengthy stints on the sidelines after both starting props were replaced at the very same time in the opening minutes of a frenetic second half.
Dunning was stretchered off in agony and Kepu too grimaced in pain while being assisted from the field with his right arm cradled in his jersey.
Australia jumped out to a 13-0 lead before the match exploded on the half hour.
The Barbarians' Italian prop Federico Pucciariello took exception to Quade Cooper's rough tackle on Fourie du Preez and proceeded to drive the Wallabies five-eighth over the sideline.
After taking out an advertising hoarding - and with Wallabies halfback Brett Sheehan also appearing to be involved in a push-and-shove in the background - Pucciariello and Cooper continued to scuffle before teammates arrived to intervene.
English referee Chris White called for calm before, perhaps sensing further drama, Barbarians coach Jake White and his Australian sidekick Eddie Jones pulled Pucciarellio from the match.
The front rower's departure meant the introduction of former Queensland Reds and Wallabies prop Rodney Blake.
Two penalty goals from Barbarians fullback Percy Montgomery reduced Australia's lead to 13-6 at halftime.
The Barbarians were twice denied tries by the video referee just after the break before former All Blacks flanker Jerry Collins crossed in the 61st minute following a poor attempted clearing kick from the Wallabies' teenage fullback James O'Connor, who otherwise had a fine match.
Francois Steyn missed with the conversion attempt that would have put the Barbarians in front and was then off target with penalty and drop goal attempts.
The Wallabies clinched victory through a 75m try to replacement winger Lachie Turner two minutes from fulltime.
The Wallabies had opened the scoring in the 13th minute with the type of crowd-pleasing try that the Barbarians have become famous for over the years.
Ryan Cross made a great break inside his own half, palming off Jean de Villiers, before streaking down the right touchline and kicking infield for Lote Tuqiri, who collected the bounce to score.
O'Connor slotted the conversion, his first points for the Wallabies in his first start for his country, to give his side a 7-0 lead.
Two penalty goals from O'Connor made it 13-0 after 23 minutes before the game turned nasty.
Skipper George Smith was among several players nursing a bloodied head at the end of a ferocious match.
