The 116-times capped Ashley-Cooper, who last played for his country two years ago, has been called-up to the Aussie training camp in Japan in the wake of their 37-20 Bledisloe Cup defeat to the All Blacks in Yokohama at the weekend. That gave New Zealand a 3-0 triumph in the series and made it 115 points and 17 tries to 45 and five in their favour.
As well as recalling the 34-year-old Ashley-Cooper, who is currently playing in Japan with Kobe Steelers, in a 33-man squad training in Odawara this week to prepare for the games against Wales (November 10), Italy (November 17) and England (November 24) next month, Cheika also recalled Leicester Tigers centre Matt Toomua.
Both Ashley-Cooper, who has a perfect record of 13 wins from 13 games against Wales stretching back to 2007, and Toomua will be candidates to play at centre following injuries to Reece Hodge and Tevita Kuridrani.
Also included in the training squad in Japan is another centre, the 18-year-old uncapped Jordan Petaia. If he makes it to Euroep and plays he will become Australia’s third-youngest player in international rugby.
Petaia is joined by 20-year-old Rob Valetini, who joins the squad as a development player. Cheika will revise his final tour party before heading to Wales.
Wallabies Training Squad
Backs: Adam Ashley-Cooper, Tom Banks, Kurtley Beale, Israel Folau, Bernard Foley, Will Genia, Jake Gordon, Dane Haylett-Petty, Samu Kerevi, Marika Koroibete, Jack Maddocks, Sefa Naivalu, Jordan Petaia, Nick Phipps, Matt Toomua
Forwards: Jermaine Ainsley, Allan Alaalatoa, Rory Arnold, Adam Coleman, Jack Dempsey, Folau Fainga’a, Ned Hanigan, Jed Holloway, Michael Hooper, Sekope Kepu, Tolu Latu, Brandon Paenga-Amosa, David Pocock, Izack Rodda, Rob Simmons, Pete Samu, Scott Sio, Taniela Tupou
