After travelling to the Rio Olympics with the Australian rugby sevens squad, winger Henry Speight has been included in a 33-man Wallabies’ squad for upcoming Tests against South Africa and Argentina.
Speight, 28, played just five Super Rugby matches for the Brumbies in 2016 due to a flexible contract which allowed him to spend much of the year with the sevens squad.
His Olympic dream was hampered by a knee injury.
With Adam Ashley-Cooper returning to his French club side Bordeaux for the Top 14 season after winning his 116th cap in last weekend’s loss to New Zealand in Wellington, a spot in the squad opened up for the Fiji-born Speight, who has played five Tests for Australia.
Fellow France-based stars Drew Mitchell (Toulon) and Will Genia (Stade Francais) will remain with the squad.
Australian coach Michael Cheika has named four uncapped players in the expanded squad for Tests against South Africa in Brisbane on Saturday and against Argentina in Perth on September 17.
They include Sefa Naivalu, who becomes eligible to play for the Wallabies on September 18.
The other uncapped players are Kyle Godwin, Lopeti Timani and Tom Robertson.
The squad also includes Brumbies lock Rory Arnold, who has overcome an elbow injury.
Matt Giteau, Matt Toomua, Rob Horne and Ben McCalman were not considered due to injury.
Wallabies squad:
Allan Alaalatoa, Rory Arnold, Adam Coleman, Quade Cooper, Kane Douglas, Scott Fardy, Israel Folau, Bernard Foley, Will Genia, Kyle Godwin, James Hanson, Dane Haylett-Petty, Reece Hodge, Michael Hooper, Sekope Kepu, Samu Kerevi, Tevita Kuridrani, Sean McMahon, Drew Mitchell, Stephen Moore (capt), Luke Morahan, Dean Mumm, Sefa Naivalu, Nick Phipps, David Pocock, Tatafu Polota-Nau, Tom Robertson, Rob Simmons, Scott Sio, Will Skelton, Henry Speight, James Slipper, Lopeti Timani.
samalavich
Roar Rookie
So far not a fan of the new rules highlander.. has made for some very messy rugby players just hacking at the ball. Also noticed a lot of interfering with the halback. For me at takes away an aspect of the game which was quite tactical and replaced it with -as you say- under 6s soccer... just with size 13 boots
Geoff Parkes
Expert
Viiga is a beast james. I really liked his game. Has an interesting background through rugby league and then into Shute Shield. I also liked Lolohea, who Rob mentioned above. Another big unit with some pace.
taylorman
Guest
I like the fact that Cheika is continuing to debut players more and more. The names he's brought in look like they'll please some and not others but the key is they're getting their chance. That's critical. Cheika needs to know what sort of local depth he has and this is the best way to do that. The jersey alone can have an effect on some players more than others so that could come into play here. Good stuff Cheika!
Jacko
Guest
Fijian backline? Jared Hayne?
McCaw was onside?
Guest
Yes. And Cooper for PM.
McCaw was onside?
Guest
Yeah, trying to draw attention to the erosion of the 'national' part of 'national side' at the expense of countries poor in funds but rich in talent is such a waste of a post. I should spend more time bagging Hooper, Foley and Mumm. Thats really good use of internet space. Thanks for your great contribution. "Hes doin pretty well so far" Pure genius and thought-provoking.
McCaw was onside?
Guest
No I guess not.
McCaw was onside?
Guest
I love it when Soapit gets all sooky because he has no argument so he attacks the person posting. It happens all the time. Attack the poster when you dont like the post without any argument is Soapit 101. Love your work Soapit. You always make the most of your posts. Theyre full of insight, just like this one.
McCaw was onside?
Guest
1 if. If the laws are introduced to all rugby.
Lano
Roar Guru
Pocock is going on sabbatical so unlikely to get skipper's ticket
McCaw was onside?
Guest
No, picking any Tah is bad in your opinion and thats why people have stopped listening.
McCaw was onside?
Guest
3rd?! Then Australia rugby is in a lot of trouble.
Browny
Roar Rookie
I'd probably rather see Fardy at 6 with Douglas or Arnold as the reserve lock as well as Hodge and Folau on the wings, DHP at fullback and a centre pairing of Samu and Tevita but aside from those I like where your head's at. Could even go a 6:2 split to fit McMahon on the bench with Frisby and Foley as the two reserve backs. Hooper and McMahon coming on to the field for Pocock and Timani at 60 minutes with instructions to go ham...
Scott
Guest
I'd be happy with this, for the reasons you state. Who would of thought playing people in their prefered and most experienced positions?
jameswm
Roar Guru
From that squad, this is the team I'd like to see selected for the next test. 1. Sio 2. TPN 3. Kepu 4. Coleman 5. Simmons, for set piece and defence, but only until someone else is ready 6. Fardy/Mumm - Mumm must unloved but can jump, run, tackle and has some speed 7. Pocock 8. Timani 9. Genia 10. Cooper 11. Crikeys can't think of anyone here...Morahan or Mitchell I guess 12. Kerevi or Godwin 13. Kerevi or Kuridrani 14. Hodge 15. Folau 16. Hanson (Moore out) 17. Slipper/Alaalatoa 18. Robertson/Alaalatoa 19. Mumm/Fardy 20. Hooper 21. Frisby 22. Foley (mainly injury cover) 23. Haylett-Petty 4 jumpers, players in correct positions, experienced front row (maybe blood one new guy), size in the back row, 5-6 ball running forwards (not 5 or 7), some heavier hitters, proper halves combo who know each other, I would contemplate Folau at 13, meaning Kerevi to 12, and Hodge or DHP to fullback, probably Hodge. In fact I wouldn't mind seeing that at some stage. However we need a W this game. Left right out - Moore (too slow), Arnold (not physical enough), Douglas (too slow), McMahon (unlucky), Mitchell (too slow - might put him in I guess), Speight (not ready), Skelton (too slow)
jameswm
Roar Guru
I watched some on the weekend Rob. Is Brandon Paenga-Amosa #2 the ponytailed Rams bloke? If so I was impressed. He worked hard, put himself in position, he's a big unit, mobile and hits hard. Ready showed his class with some steals, but his opponent was very impressive. Does need to get a bit fitter though. Tui impressive, as was I think the Rams nio.8 who kept running into space. Was that Tyrone Viiaga? Like you I was paying more attention tot he forwards.
jameswm
Roar Guru
Kellaway isn't that big or fast, but he obviously has a good rugby brain and knows his way to the try line. Size isn't everything.
jameswm
Roar Guru
Nah I don't agree, I think he's 3 behind Toomua and Beale. Lilo is not a test 12, Giteau is past it, Horne and AAC are very one-dimensional. Actually you forgot Kerevi, who pushed Godwin down to 4.
Guz Ghoul
Guest
So basically its heading in the direction of rugby league? The way the breakdown is now the refereeing is very ordinary. The flip side of tidying this up is it causes a flow on effect that can only lead in one direction. The fundamental difference between the 2 codes is the breakdown and ruck and other differences between the codes stemmed from here.
grapeseed
Guest
Are you saying what I think you're saying McWO? Pocock to hooker?