Drew Mitchell is set to miss the World Cup © Getty Images

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Players/Officials: Scott Higginbotham | Drew Mitchell

Tournaments/Tours: Super Rugby

Teams: Australia | New South Wales Waratahs | Queensland Reds

The Waratahs have hit out at Reds back-rower Scott Higginbotham for his part in Drew Mitchell's season-ending injury.

The Wallabies winger will likely miss the Rugby World Cup after suffering a fractured fibula and dislocated ankle in a collision with Higginbotham, who had changed his line to block a kick-chase during his side's 19-15 victory at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday.

Mitchell underwent surgery in Brisbane on Saturday, with 'Tahs coach Chris Hickey quick to voice his disappointment.

''[Mitchell] would be devastated, particularly when it happens in an incident, someone deliberately does something that causes something to happen," he told The Sydney Morning Herald.

''It was [deliberate] and that is disappointing. You have a lot of mixed feelings, disappointment, anger, particularly for Drew.

"It's a World Cup year and his form both last year and this year have been outstanding. It's not only a big loss for the Waratahs, it's a big loss for the Wallabies as well. 'I'm not a doctor but I think you're looking at five or six months before he could play again.''

Hickey is also set to juggle his back-row for next weekend's meeting with the Melbourne Rebels, with No.8 Wycliff Palu set to miss two weeks of action due to another hamstring problem.

''It felt good, but then I came off the back of that scrum and I felt it again,'' Palu said. ''I think a bit worse, because it's the same side so it's probably just a re-occurrence.

''In the lead-up to the game I was feeling really good, first half it was feeling good and just after it was feeling a lot better towards the end of it. In the end it was a bit of bad luck, I'll get through it. I don't know what to say really, disappointed. But mine is not too bad when you look at Drew's one, I hope he is alright.''