Matt Giteau has been ruled out of Australia's Rugby Championship match against Argentina in Mendoza this weekend with a sternum injury.

The utility back sustained the injury in the Wallabies' 24-20 victory over the Boks in Brisbane, but while scans on his nose and chest cleared him of any serious damage, coach Michael Cheika decided to rest the 32-year-old ahead of their Bledisloe Test against the All Blacks in a fortnight.

'In the end, the decision sits with me. It’s going to be a big year for Gits and to send him over to Mendoza after a very physical test as well as a tight turnaround, just isn’t fair on him or the group,' said Cheika. 'It’s disappointing to lose him for this round, however, knowing he will be right to go for the Bledisloe series is reassuring for the group and our fans.'

Brumbies playmaker Christian Lealiifano has been recalled after being used as an additional training squad member in the lead-up to the Springboks Test.

'It was a difficult call to leave Christian out of the original 31-man squad in the first place, and the way he handled himself at the time and during the past two weeks has been first-class,' added Cheika. 'For the Wallabies to be successful, we need to have the belief that our depth can cover each position and I have that confidence in Christian if he’s called upon for this weekend’s match.'

Wallabies squad – Adam Ashley-Cooper, Kurtley Beale, Quade Cooper, Nick Cummins, Tetera Faulkner, Scott Fardy, Israel Folau, Bernard Foley, James Hanson, Scott Higginbotham, Greg Holmes, Michael Hooper, Christian Lealiifano, James Horwill, Sekope Kepu, Tevita Kuridrani, Stephen Moore (c), Drew Mitchell, Ben McCalman, Sean McMahon, Dean Mumm, Nick Phipps, David Pocock, Tatafu Polota-Nau, Scott Sio, Rob Simmons, Will Skelton, James Slipper, Matt Toomua, Joe Tomane, Nic White.

Photo: Chris Hyde/Getty Images