Joe Schmidt has bolstered his 34-srong Grand Slam chasing Wallabies squad for the Autumn Nations Series by recalling 2023 World Cup players Samu Kerevi and Will Skelton.
Recent recruit Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, the former Australian Schoolboys representative who returned to the 15-man game from Sydney Roosters rugby league side last week, is one of three uncapped players in the squad and could feature anywhere in the three-quarter line after his headline grabbing transfer.
The 21-year-old joins Waratahs outside half Tane Edmed and Western Force wing Harry Potter as uncapped players.
Brumbies hooker Billy Pollard and versatile Queensland forward Seru Uru also return to a squad that comprises 19 forwards and 15 backs. Schmidt will get his squad together in Sydney this week before they head to the UK next week to take on England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland in an attempt to repeat the heroics of Alan Jones’ 1984 Wallabies, who completed the Grand Slam 40 years ago.
The Australians have already picked up two narrow wins over Wales this year on the summer tour down under by Warren Gatland’s men and will be the second of three teams to visit Principality Stadium next month.
The three-match schedule kicks-off with a game against Fiji on Sunday, 10 November. The Wallabies arrive on Sunday, 17 November and the world champion Springboks’ are the final opponents for Wales on Saturday, 23 November.
“The squad has had a chance to regenerate over the last few weeks. 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,” said Schmidt.
“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.”
A 30-man Australia XV will also head ‘North’ to play games against Bristol Bears and England A.
Wallabies Autumn Nations Series Squad
Forwards (19)
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 (15)
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
* Uncapped
