Dave Rennie’s Wallabies look set to be boosted by overseas based players Will Skelton, Rory Arnold and Tolu Latu on the spring tour, as COVID concerns continue to override the Giteau Law.
With Samu Kerevi returning under a slackening of the self-imposed decision to restrict overseas players to play a major role in the current campaign, and Sean McMahon set to make his return against Argentina this weekend, it’s reported that more changes are imminent.
“If it’s a tweak (to the current eligibility laws), I’m open to a recommendation from the Rugby Committee, comprising of Dan Herbert, Phil Waugh and Andy [Marinos],” Rugby Australia chair Hamish McLennan told The Herald.
“I’m open to it, if Dave wants to look at it, given COVID has seen our Aussie players on the road since June.”
The Wallabies are also hopeful Kerevi and Quade Cooper can join the tour despite their Japanese rugby commitments.
No player has done more to spark the Wallabies this campaign than Kerevi, who was man of the matchy in Townsville as the Wallabies beat Argentina for a third-straight victory.
“He was excellent again,” Rennie said on Saturday night. “It’s just his ability to break tackles and get in behind defence and create problems. Excellent in every game he’s played so far.”
“I think he’s more mature and maybe fitter from what I remember,” Argentina coach Mario Ledesma said of Japan-based Kerevi, who has credited his improved physique to his participation in Australia’s Olympic rugby sevens campaign.
The three players named by the The Herald, along with Kerevi, McMahon and Japanese-bound Marika Koroibete are six players Australia have earmarked as important to their 2023 World Cup campaign.