Michael Cheika has recalled Wycliff Palu and Matt Giteau to the Wallabies squad to play New Zealand in Sydney next Saturday.
The squad remains mostly the same as the one that has played in the Rugby Championship so far, but the recall of Palu is telling after Scott Higginbotham and Ben McCalman occupied the number 8 jersey in the last two matches against the Springboks and the Pumas.
Palu at his best is a damaging runner and robust in contact. Higginbotham failed to capitalise on his start against the Boks, while McCalman had a very solid game against Argentina.
Whether Palu will make it back into the starting 15 is up to Wallabies coach Cheika.
Giteau returns after missing the plane trip to Argentina due to a chest injury.
Higginbotham misses out on the squad altogether. Uncapped prop Toby Smith replaces him in the squad, while Christian Lealiifano will be hoping for a reprise of his game at inside centre last year in the Bledisloe with uncertainty surrounding Matt Toomua.
Toomua suffered a head knock in the early stages of the clash with Argentina.
Cheika said it was another opportunity to shape his squad for the World Cup.
“We have been able to look at a few different combinations during the first two rounds of The Rugby Championship and the squad is starting to take shape,” he said.
“In additional to the 31 players, we’ll be bringing some injured and fringe players into camp to continue their rehabilitation and manage their return to play. It’s important that they remain connected and contribute to the group.
“Toby [Smith] has had a solid season with the Rebels, and has been working really hard while the group has been away.
“Our intention was always to rest Wycliff [Palu] prior to this camp, and he has come back in great shape and really eager to play.”
31-man Wallabies Squad for first Bledisloe against New Zealand
Adam Ashley-Cooper – VC (Waratahs)
Kurtley Beale (Waratahs)
Quade Cooper (Reds)
Scott Fardy (Brumbies)
Israel Folau (Waratahs)
Bernard Foley (Waratahs)
Matt Giteau (Toulon)
Greg Holmes (Reds)
Michael Hooper – VC (Waratahs)
James Horwill (Reds)
Sekope Kepu (Waratahs)
Tevita Kuridrani (Brumbies)
Christian Lealiifano (Brumbies)
Stephen Moore – C (Brumbies)
Drew Mitchell (Toulon)
Ben McCalman (Force)
Sean McMahon (Rebels)
Dean Mumm (Waratahs)
Wycliff Palu (Waratahs)
Nick Phipps (Waratahs)
David Pocock (Brumbies)
Tatafu Polota-Nau (Waratahs)
Scott Sio (Brumbies)
Rob Simmons (Reds)
Will Skelton (Waratahs)
James Slipper (Reds)
Toby Smith* (Rebels)
Henry Speight (Brumbies)
Matt Toomua (Brumbies)
Joe Tomane (Brumbies)
Nic White (Brumbies)
True story
Guest
Good one roaring success against the Lions
Machooka
Roar Guru
@Akari Yeah... I too share those sentiments for Christian L. Up until he did his ankle a couple of seasons ago I thought we'd found our Wallaby flyhalf. So good to see back in the mix again. But I'm somewhat more worried about Toomua's concussion issues. I couldn't believe it when I saw him recoiling from his tackle on the Bargie 12 when they played last. Seriously... I cried out in anguish as I knew straight away what was what, and what that meant for his future. Serious, serious stuff. And just when he looked the real goods again !
Machooka
Roar Guru
@Jigbon Ooooh yeees pleeeease... put those boots on man. We need you ! Has anyone heard back from Peter Hughes... he nicked off to check some things ?
Jigbon
Guest
I agree with peter Hughes. You can count Palu's good games on a butchers hand. Like david Lyons. Goes missing for most of the game. Could be great but never ever reached that potential. Has hands worse than my golf club! Puts in a workmanlike 30 minutes at best. Compare him to Keiran Reid or Dwayne vermuelen. Hello! Not even in the same ball park. Unfortunately we don't have anyone available like that. Great go forward ,mongrel , great ball skills etc. I might have to pull the boots back on. !
ScrumJunkie
Guest
You guys take the interweb way to serious...
pick & go..!!
Guest
Peter Hughes- You say it's not personal with your constant rants about Palu. But you don't bring up any hard Stats or facts to back your claim. Which suggests to most of us it is personal.. "Tthey are based are based 100% on lack of performance on field." Have you ever watched Rob Simmons closely? If you believe Simmons has been better than Palu in performance on field. You are delusional mate..
Handles
Roar Guru
^^^^^GOLD^^^^
Rugby.ftw
Guest
Savea isn't the best defender. Definitely can be exploited by an explosive winger with a mean step, which sleight has. At his best speight can cause savea and any winger problems, but he hasn't been as good as he was last year yet. Hopefully he gets back into form in gold.
zenn
Guest
We need to play all of them. Would any current Wallabies be selected in the Current ABs?
PiratesRugby
Guest
So SR form doesn't count but Aviva league form does? Fifth you say? And how much higher than Heinekin cup is the Aviva league? If the WBs win the Bledisloe then Chieka is a genius, the Tah fans were right and I will forever shut my mouth. The WBs won't win but nothing will stop the promotion of Tah favourites at the expense of more worthy players to the detriment of Australian rugby.
Lara
Guest
If Palu does get selected to play the ABs on Saturday, it is a big ask and the same for Giteau. The ABs are rock hard fit and they will probably be opposing Read and SBW respectively. Not a pretty picture in terms of head to head.....will need help from their teammates , big time.
Akari
Roar Rookie
Speight will find it hard to make it past Julian, The Bus, Savea though. It's most likely that Savea will be coasting past Speight and then over Phipps or White on his way to the try line.
Akari
Roar Rookie
Hilarious, Tman
Akari
Roar Rookie
Higgers might possibly have an injury???
Akari
Roar Rookie
I am chuffed that Christian L is back in the team and should get a start or bench this weekend.
Akari
Roar Rookie
Get over it, SJ, and you might enjoy life a little better without all that negative SBW energy stored in you.
Magic Sponge
Guest
Id have Palu , Hooper Pocock with Smith on the bench coming on for last 30 minutes
PeterK
Roar Guru
very very very few agree with your views that Palu has NEVER delivered in tests, that he is the worst player for the wallabies in every test , and so on for your various rants. What is true is he is past his best and is not providing the impact nor workrate he used to.
Peter Hughes
Guest
ahh I did ask for these records. I will check it. and there's nothing personal about my views on Palu. Tthey are based are based 100% on lack of performance on field. And most people seem to agree with me now. The rest of you obviously don't watch players closely.
Not Bothered
Guest
SBW is one of the best players in NZ. I will never understand people like scrumjunkie. They let emotions dictate their opinions which just makes them sound ridiculous.