Karmichael Hunt and Adam Korczyk have earned Wallabies recalls while coach Michael Cheika has named three fresh development players ahead of next weekend’s third Bledisloe Cup Test in Brisbane.
Hunt is in line for a bench utility role after recovering from the ankle injury which has kept him out of Test contention in recent months.
Back-rower Korczyk is in the mix to make his international debut in Saturday night’s clash with New Zealand.
They will join the 32 players who recently toured South Africa in camp.
Joining them on the Gold Coast will be former Western Force prop Jermaine Ainsley, Queensland Reds centre Duncan Paia’aua and Brumbies hooker Folau Faingaa, who have been invited to push for a spot on the upcoming European tour.
Hunt proved a ready-made Wallabies player when he made his debut in June and his inclusion will give Australia confidence heading into the dead rubber against the All Blacks, who went through the Rugby Championship undefeated.
But Cheika moved to temper predictions an upset win is on the cards given the coveted trans-Tasman trophy has already been won.
“You have to look at the facts, at what they are,” he said.
“New Zealand have been outstanding in the Rugby Championship.
“That win they had in South Africa was a really, really strong victory.
“I know the scoreline was 25-24, but that’s a big win over there in those conditions… and with a few players out they’d normally have.
“They’ve had an outstanding championship, they’ll be coming here to try and repeat the first half of game one.
“We’re going to have to play so much better than we’ve been playing to go up there and challenge them.”
Meanwhile, Cheika said he had been in contact with a number of candidates to replace forwards coach Mario Ledesma, who will leave the Wallabies after the Bledisloe Cup Test to take up the head coaching role with the Jaguares.
Nick Stiles, who was recently sacked by the Reds, is among them but Cheika said he had spoken to all the forwards coaches at the various Super Rugby franchises across the country.
“I’d be naive if I didn’t look straight to our coaches at the next level and try and work out what the best mix might be,” he said.
“As I said, we’ll be looking to just appoint someone to come on the tour with us at this stage.
“That’ll give us a bit more breathing space to take the time to make the exact appointment we want.”
WALLABIES SQUAD FOR BLEDISLOE CUP III
Forwards: Jermaine Ainsley*, Allan Alaalatoa, Rory Arnold, Adam Coleman, Jack Dempsey, Tetera Faulkner, Folau Faingaa*, Ned Hanigan, Michael Hooper (capt), Sekope Kepu, Adam Korczyk, Sean McMahon, Stephen Moore, Tatafu Polota-Nau, Tom Robertson, Izack Rodda, Rob Simmons, Scott Sio, Lopeti Timani, Lukhan Tui, Jordan Uelese.
Backs: Kurtley Beale, Israel Folau, Bernard Foley, Will Genia, Reece Hodge, Karmichael Hunt, Samu Kerevi, Marika Koroibete, Tevita Kuridrani, Billy Meakes, Duncan Paia’aua*, Izaia Perese, Nick Phipps, Joe Powell, Curtis Rona, Henry Speight.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
No I'm not. I've included 11 players in that list. I think I've noted up to 20 Super Rugby Contracted players being in the Spirit line ups at most. That's 31 players before even consider a number on that list played NRC because they are ineligible, not injured. 7 are not available due to injury. That should leave around 28 players already for NRC. But not all of the 35 or so (depending on each squad) are in the first choice Super Rugby team, and likely for a test start. Really that's 15-20. But still, the remaining 20-15 players are still training in a full time environment with a Super Rugby team all year - something club players are not.
Timbo (L)
Roar Guru
But you are including more than 35 players in your web of lies. Your numbers don't add up, it is just a pile of fiction. Your error is that you are including past and development players in your list. and not done the same for the Opposition. And there are some moral inclusions as well. Ben MacCalman has not played more than 1 game this season. It might be enough to get a Cheika Wallaby Jersey but he certainly doesn't pass the sniff test as an active SR player. Your use and abuse of statistics is tantamount to lying.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Don't worry Pinetree, people don't think the log finish should be the sole reason. They just think that players who don't perform well in teams that finish poorly shouldn't get selected.
Pinetree
Guest
EagleJack - Thanks for the reply, and I totally get your point. "Australian fans are of the belief that log finish should be the sole reason for Wallabies selection". Yep, fair enough, that is different to NZ. " In fact I’d prefer if very few Tahs made it as then I wouldn’t have to read the constant trips on these pages. And I’d probably visit this site more often". I think this highlights your point, as it is more about individual fan province bias, and less about the best players in Australia regardless. A little disappointing that it has reached the limit where some feel reluctant to post Eagle.
Fionn
Guest
Good point. I mean IF he is going to be supported and groomed for the 10 role. You're right though, it seems very unlikely at this point. Seems more likely he will just be thrust into the role.
Train Without A Station
Guest
He actually won't be a better fit for the Rebels as they already have about 6 midfield options whilst the Tahs have Beale and Simone and would be desperate for Meakes to play 13 to replace Horne. But the mail is that Meakes will end up at the Rebels and cram into a midfield that already has Horwitz, Hodge, Tuipolotu, English, Naivalu and possibly Shipperly if they re-sign him. He'd obviously fit into the starting team, but if DHP comes as rumoured, the Rebels could end up playing Hodge and Naivalu in the midfield and have a Wallaby 9-15 if Shipperly is re-signed. I just feel the Tahs need Meakes more.
Train Without A Station
Guest
"Brain Fade"... Of course it's irrelevant that White actually had no options to pass to that phase and was under pressure at the ruck and needed to clear it...
Train Without A Station
Guest
Unsurprising that Nick Bishop's Analysis on that was a little too complex for you to absorb...
eagleJack
Roar Guru
Appreciate your response Pinetree. But you can look at it another way. Australian fans are of the belief that log finish should be the sole reason for Wallabies selection. Even if every single franchise had a terrible 2017 (0-26 v Kiwis sides testament to that). When the Chiefs won their back-to-back titles in 2013, only the Blues had less players selected in the All Blacks 28 man squad. And they had WON the tournament for the 2nd year in a row. Were there complaints? Absolutely not. I couldn’t careless where the players come from. They are all Australian. In fact I’d prefer if very few Tahs made it as then I wouldn’t have to read the constant trips on these pages. And I’d probably visit this site more often. But now it’s too unbearable with the small minded parochialism.
Jigbon
Guest
White brain fade however where he kicked the ball out when we were about to beat the nuns in I think 2015 was a career killer. He kicked too much for mine. Stupid nonsense kicks. That was his downfall.
Jigbon
Guest
Fox after kerevis performance in anti defence in bled 1 I was sure he'd never get picked again. If youneed an anti defensive guy he's the one no question. So to see him back against the nuns ...omg sorry that's not right.
Terry
Guest
Fionn, Groomed ?? You said " But you must admit that it is funny that the player we have being groomed as the backup 10 doesn’t play in that position at NRC or SR." The Reds/Brisbane City haven`t groomed Duncan to be 10. Even at his club team Norths he played 12.Where has this groomed come from Fionn?? Cheika all of a sudden says he will be groomed as Wallaby 10, doesn't necessarily mean the Reds are/ have/ or will groom him to be the Reds10. Look at who Chieka wanted groomed at number 6, Ned Flanders.-Chuckles has no idea whom to groom.
Timbo (L)
Roar Guru
I can't see Meakes at the Tahs. Not with Beale stealing all the oxygen. He will be a better fit for the Rebels. Fionn's Pony's would be likely to be able to make good use of him also. Meakes-Banks in the North-south channel would be electric!
Timbo (L)
Roar Guru
More Logically TPN, Kepu, Robertson, Simmons, Hooper Dempsey, Hanigan, Phipps,Foley ,Beale,Folau, Some other guys that need to work harder if they want a spot on the team.
Timbo (L)
Roar Guru
A #12 as a #10 backup, Sounds about right. I am surprised Cheikatah didn't put him in at #8, everyone else has had a go. Quade and Jono must be over the moon.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Ainsley has been out injured, And no I don’t think he deserves a spot with 2 NRC games under his belt. Probably not over the guy who was generally chosen ahead of him at the Force anyway...
Timbo (L)
Roar Guru
Ainsley has been out injured, And no I don't think he deserves a spot with 2 NRC games under his belt. But given Demsey and Ulese's SR Minutes" this year and Phipps and Folau's abysmal work for the Tahs earlier in the season, proven form clearly has no bearing on Wallaby selection.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Because Super Rugby squads have 35 players... Melbourne were a dominant home and away season team on the back of a lot of fringe players 23 in the past. Full time professionals are an advantage. They are likely better players, and then have the benefit of full time training. And of course a number of those players mentioned (5 at one point) are playing NRC, they are just not eligible for Wallabies... And then there's the Wallaby squad players that have still played a number of games...
Timbo (L)
Roar Guru
TWAS, with all of these players out injured (Add stunder, Tessman is injured ), how do you justify your constant drivel that the Spirit are a SR team. This is a Selective use of facts. Korebete was in the development side before he was eligible. Have you considered why is Lance might be overseas? Arguably our best #10, Cheika has a total of 1 #10 in his extended squad. No wonder Jono is looking at greener pastures.
Fox
Roar Guru
Fionn that is the only way he can accommodate KMH in the starting line up realistically but he won't reinvent the backline wheel for the All Black and move Folau to the wing and Beale to 15. He may when KMH comes on off the bench assuming he plays at all. Kerevi' defence is still not up to international level against a side like the AB's- he will not be risked starting and that's I will put my house on....okay my small batch on a rock off the coast of Somalia on. Great ocean views mind you! Nah Kerevi will not start - not against the AB's in this test.