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Marika Koroibete is the big inclusion in Michael Cheika’s 32-man Wallabies squad for the upcoming Spring Tour.
Koroibete, who has signed with the Melbourne Rebels after a stint in the NRL with the Melbourne Storm, is one of three uncapped players in the touring party, alongside Kyle Godwin and Tolu Latu.
Will Genia, who was forced to miss the Wallabies third and final Bledisloe Cup match against New Zealand after being recalled to Europe by his French Club Stade Francais, has also been included in the squad. He is available for the Spring Tour, as it falls inside World Rugby’s international window.
Koroibete indicated last month that he was in line for a spot in the Spring Tour squad, revealing that Cheika had used the offer of a place in the touring party as something of a carrot to help lure the Fijian-born back from league to union.
The hard-running winger originally played union in his native Fiji – where he went to school alongside fellow Spring Tour teammate Sefanaia Naivalu – but has only played the 13-man code since coming to Australia in 2011 to join the NRL’s Wests Tigers.
Koroibete could become the first Wallaby to make his international debut before stepping onto the field in a Super Rugby game since Tatafu Polota-Nau earned his first Australian cap in 2005.
Koroibete’s inclusion in the touring party was helped by the absence of Samu Kerevi, who suffered an injured ankle in Australia’s 37-10 loss against New Zealand on Saturday and has been omitted from the Spring Tour squad as a result. The Queensland Reds back underwent surgery on Tuesday morning to repair the injury.
Kerevi has been a consistent performer at outside centre for the Wallabies since making his debut against England in June, but his absence will now force Michael Cheika to find a different option for the number 13 jersey.
One option is a shift to the centres for fullback Israel Folau, while Reece Hodge and Tevita Kuridrani are other possible starters in the now-vacant position.
Five-eighth Godwin and hooker Latu have both been included in the squad on the back of impressive NRC campaigns for the NSW Country Eagles. Both players were instrumental for Country in their run to the final, where they were eventually defeated by the Perth Spirit.
The Wallabies will be looking to complete their second successful Grand Slam by defeating England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland during this tour. Australia’s one and only Slam came back in 1984, with the two subsequent attempts all falling short.
The Wallabies will also play France, as well as a match against the French Barbarians on November 17, during their tour of Europe, for which they depart on Friday, October 28.
Allan Alaalatoa (5 Tests)
Rory Arnold (6 Tests)
Adam Coleman (7 Tests)
Quade Cooper (64 Tests)
Kane Douglas (28 Tests)
Scott Fardy (37 Tests)
Israel Folau (48 Tests)
Bernard Foley (37 Tests)
Nick Frisby (3 Tests)
Will Genia (72 Tests)
Kyle Godwin*
James Hanson (12 Tests)
Dane Haylett-Petty (10 Tests)
Reece Hodge (6 Tests)
Michael Hooper (61 Tests)
Sekope Kepu (73 Tests)
Marika Koroibete*
Tevita Kuridrani (40 Tests)
Tolu Latu*
Sean McMahon (12 Tests)
Stephen Moore (c) (112 Tests)
Dean Mumm (53 Tests)
Sefanaia Naivalu (2 Tests)
Nick Phipps (48 Tests)
David Pocock (61 Tests)
Tom Robertson (4 Tests)
Rob Simmons (66 Tests)
Scott Sio (25 Tests)
Will Skelton (16 Tests)
Henry Speight (6 Tests)
James Slipper (82 Tests)
Lopeti Timani (3 Tests)
Wallabies 2016 Spring Tour schedule
Wales vs Wallabies at Millennium Stadium, 6th November 1.30am AEDT
Scotland vs Wallabies at Murrayfield, 13th November, 1.30am AEDT
France vs Wallabies at Stade de France, 20th November, 7.00am AEDT
Ireland vs Wallabies at Aviva Stadium, 27th November, 4.30am AEDT
England vs Wallabies at Twickenham, 4th December, 1.30am AEDT
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.