Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt has brought Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii straight into his spring tour squad, while also handing recalls to overseas-based Will Skelton and Samu Kerevi.
Schmidt unveiled a 34-man group for the Grand Slam tour on Tuesday afternoon, the squad also including the uncapped Tane Edmed fresh off his strong NPC season with North Harbour in New Zealand.
But it is the decision to select Suaali’i that will generate the headlines, with the former Sydney Roosters star only weeks removed from an NRL stint that finished with a preliminary final defeat.
It was thought that Schmidt may look to send Suaalii away with the Australia A squad — which was also announced on Tuesday — that will play England A and Bristol Bears, but the code-hopper could now foreseeably make his Test debut as early as next month.
Meanwhile, the recalls for Skelton and Kerevi show that the Schmidt is not yet content with his options in the second row or inside centre for next year’s British & Irish Lions Series.
Skelton did not make himself available for the Rugby Championship because of the looming Top 14 season, while Kerevi played only League 2 rugby in Japan earlier this year, the veteran midfielder did also not give a great account of himself at last year’s Rugby World Cup either.
Kerevi’s selection puts the focus squarely on incumbent No. 12 Hunter Paisami, while the lack of another midfield option suggests Schmidt may yet consider Suaalii as either an inside or outside centre. Hamish Stewart, who featured in the two Tests against Argentina, drops out of the Wallabies squad, as does David Feliuai.
Tom Hooper and Josh Canham join Stewart on the Australia A tour as a result of Skelton’s selection.
Edmed’s selection, meanwhile, is a reward for his strong showing across the ditch with North Harbour, while Tom Lynagh, who was plagued by injury during the Rugby Championship, will look to reignite his season with Australia A.
The final three changes from the squad that finished the Rugby Championship in last position see winger Harry Potter win his first Wallabies call-up, while hooker Billy Pollard returns as the third-string rake behind Matt Faessler and Brandon Paenga-Amosa. The versatile Seru Uru completes the new addition, the Fijian looking to add to his sole Test cap.
Potter was earlier this year enjoying a fine first Super Rugby Pacific season before he suffered a syndesmosis injury that ended his campaign.
The former Leicester Tigers Premiership winner’s inclusion sees Corey Toole drop down to the Australia A tour.
“The squad has had a chance to regenerate over the last few weeks,” Schmidt said via media release. “At the same time, it was good to catch up with a wider group of players in the two-day training hubs we had in Canberra and Brisbane last week.
“We have a relatively consistent group but will integrate a few new players on tour.
“Trying to balance opportunities for players, some recent squad members will get much needed game time with Australia XV, which also enables us to broaden our cohort of players in what will be highly competitive fixtures.”
WALLABIES SPRING TOUR SQUAD
Forwards: Allan Alaalatoa, Angus Bell, Matt Faessler, Nick Frost, Langi Gleeson, Isaac Kailea, Fraser McReight, Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Billy Pollard, Tom Robertson, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Will Skelton, James Slipper, Carlo Tizzano, Taniela Tupou, Seru Uru, Rob Valetini, Jeremy Williams, Harry Wilson
Backs: Ben Donaldson, Tane Edmed Jake Gordon, Len Ikitau, Max Jorgensen, Andrew Kellaway, Samu Kerevi, Noah Lolesio, Tate McDermott, Hunter Paisami, Dylan Pietsch, Harry Potter, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, Nic White, Tom Wright
AUSTRALIA A SQUAD
Forwards: Angus Blyth, Joe Brial, John Bryant, Josh Canham, Massimo de Lutiis, Tom Hooper, Harry Hoopert, Tom Horton, Tom Lambert, Lachlan Lonergan, Josh Nasser, Zane Nonggorr, Luke Reimer, Rory Scott, Ryan Smith, Darcy Swain, Rhys Van Nek
Backs: Lachie Anderson, Jock Campbell, Issak Fines-Leleiwasa, Josh Flook, Darby Lancaster, Ryan Lonergan, Tom Lynagh, Harry McLaughlin-Phillips, Andy Muirhead, Ollie Sapsford, Hamish Stewart, Corey Toole, Joey Walton
Source: espn.com