He was talked about for the last fortnight but Wallabies coach Dave Rennie has decided against picking Quade Cooper for the third and final Bledisloe Cup game in Perth on Sunday.
Instead, Rennie has stuck with Noah Lolesio in the No.10 jersey with Reece Hodge on the bench.
Meanwhile, Samu Kerevi is a confirmed starter in the Wallabies team.
It will be the first time Kerevi has pulled on the Australian jersey in two years. Kerevi’s inclusion was made possible due to changes with the Giteau Law which allows overseas players to represent Australia despite not meeting the previous 60-cap qualification.
The other big inclusion is Izack Rodda who also returns the Wallabies team that lost the opening two Bledisoe matches against New Zealand including a 57-22 drubbing.
Folau Fainga’a is also set to play his first Test of 2021, named at hooker in an all-Brumbies front row alongside James Slipper and Allan Alaalatoa.
“It’s great to be able to call on the experience of Samu and Izack this weekend with Hunter and Lukhan leaving the group to be with their partners in what’s a really exciting time of their lives,” Dave Rennie said.
“Both Samu and Izack have worked really hard since joining the group, been positive additions and have earned their opportunity to pull on the gold jersey on Sunday afternoon at Optus Stadium.
Folau Fainga’a has been named at hooker after Rennie confirmed that Brendon Paenga-Amosa was ruled out due to injury after tweaking his neck in training.
Wallabies team for Bledisloe 3/Rugby Championship vs New Zealand
1. James Slipper (105 Tests)
2. Folau Fainga’a (16 Tests)
3. Allan Alaalatoa (48 Tests)
4. Darcy Swain (5 Tests)
5. Matt Philip (14 Tests)
6. Lachlan Swinton (3 Tests)
7. Michael Hooper (c) (110 Tests)
8. Rob Valetini (9 Tests)
9. Tate McDermott (7 Tests)
10. Noah Lolesio (7 Tests)
11. Marika Koroibete (38 Tests)
12. Samu Kerevi (33 Tests)
13. Len Ikitau (4 Tests)
14. Andrew Kellaway (4 Tests)
15. Tom Banks (16 Tests)
Replacements
16. Lachlan Lonergan (2 Tests)
17. Angus Bell (7 Tests)
18. Taniela Tupou (30 Tests)
19. Izack Rodda (25 Tests)
20. Pete Samu (10 Tests)
21. Nic White (37 Tests)
22. Reece Hodge (48 Tests)
23. Jordan Petaia (9 Tests)
Ankle-tapped Waterboy
Roar Rookie
Interesting.
TJ-Go Force!
Roar Rookie
He must have returned from injury. Started against the Force at hooker.
Wallabies_Larkham
Roar Rookie
Jimbo..if you are referring to Tom Wright is currently being shelved since the French series..he will have to wait like samu has before being given a shot..although current winger is doing the job his been asked to do
Wallabies_Larkham
Roar Rookie
Yes..DR wallaby record is starting to plunge..at least Quade and other experience guys can help curb that so that it does not look too bad
Wallabies_Larkham
Roar Rookie
OOP..yeah that is a lot..I gave my 2cents on another article why some of the selections does not feel right..DR is starting to lose many tests..I would be more comfortable if we picked quade and some other experience campaigners like rodda..nick white from the start..then bring on Tate and so on from the pine..at least the experience guys increases your chances of winning a test..DR also has a tendency to bring on the bench warmers too late or leave some guys unused like it was a mistake to choose the player in the first place
Wallabies_Larkham
Roar Rookie
Savant..I pointed out on another article that since DR has been chasing McKellar since last year... you can see now that DR is somewhat influence by McKellar when it came to this selection..although I love the brumbies (and the other Oz teams) to bits...certain selections are not warranted..
Wallabies_Larkham
Roar Rookie
Really TJ...man would like to see what FK has to offer...hopefully we get to see him against the springboks..it was reported that he was injured for quite some time
TJ-Go Force!
Roar Rookie
Wilson has been average. He’s offered little in attack but has been serviceable in defence. I think after Bled 1 last year Rennie expects those levels.
TJ-Go Force!
Roar Rookie
FK played today in a trial game against the Force. He’s not injured. Rennie just went for the more experienced player.
TJ-Go Force!
Roar Rookie
That’s a back row of dreams for me
Muglair
Roar Rookie
Will be interesting to see if one of them is thrown in at the deep end before the end of the year.
Cheika_Mate
Roar Rookie
Donaldson, Harrison and the youngster at the Rebels, would love those to be taken away on the spring tour. Not to be given a token jumper but to train with squad. Got a lot of time for Donaldson. Made good points.
Rolando
Guest
Agreed. I’m OK to see NL persisted with so he develops sufficiently in time for RWC. However one of Harrison or Donaldson ( anyone else?h needs to be developed as backup considering the increasing likelihood of injuries to JOC as he ages.
Muglair
Roar Rookie
Frankly I would have preferred it but see DR's logic. I think. What I probably don't get is not having at least one other 10 in the squad. NL has proven to go fairly well in the Brumbies team, a huge head start over Harrison last year, who I thought played well under the pressure provided by the Waratahs pack. There is also Donaldson and the young Queenslander who moved to the Rebels, who I think did a great job easing him into the season. Or maybe that was just Wessels not selecting him. My jury is out on DR too, and he needs to get some clarity over this backline.
Cheika_Mate
Roar Rookie
I’m not convinced Noah can run that backline by himself. He will thankfully have the big SK outside him to take some pressure off and hopefully play a little more direct. In short if Noah is 10 he needs Hodge maybe at 15 as a second set of eyes, he just doesn’t show to me he has the maturity in his game to play the solo play maker. Nicholas Bishop ran a good article this week about the combo Qc and SK could have brought. Whilst I’m not the biggest QC fan his probably the only 10 in this country that can play the solo play maker purely down to his skill set and bullish ego. Think we missed a trick with his non selection with the backs picked for this game.
Cheika_Mate
Roar Rookie
Now your talking. Banks needs a big one tomorrow, must be borrowed time.
Rhys
Roar Rookie
BPA is injured too for this week, else he'd be there apparently.
Rhys
Roar Rookie
Brums frontrow got pushed around by the Chiefs from memory. Sio is done his dash now I reckon and Swain needs another few super seasons and to put on muscle. The fact Hosea isn't there boggles my brain, I really hope he is next season because he has all the goods and is developing into a bigger stronger body like Arnold whilst also having a good level of skill.
Muglair
Roar Rookie
I suppose a lot will depend on how much pressure Quade has been able to put on him daily. You have to think DR is pretty comfortable to not have him on the bench as PK suggests, or maybe just needs Hodge to cover 10 and 15. As well as 12 and 13 I guess, or 11 or 14 if needed. He is very versatile. The problem with COVID is not having alternatives and playing QC does not really solve much about the rest of the team because no prospect plays anything like him. His best role is providing speed and width in opposition while pretending to be Smith/Mounga.
Cheika_Mate
Roar Rookie
Williams was the bloke I could not think of, and Whetton man I hope next season is better. Your right Harris he could make the bench but with Sinclair Ned Warren they have a tonne of options at 8 and you could throw in 6 as well, so Harris will have to play out of his skin to start. His a talent, we just haven’t seen the best of him yet. Thanks Jeznez