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Fullback Jock Campbell has earned his first call-up while lock Rory Arnold returned to the Wallabies fold for their two-Test Rugby Championship tour of Argentina.
Matt Gibbon, Lalakai Foketi and Fraser McReight have also been called up after strong performances in the Pacific Nations Cup in Fiji.
Wallabies coach Dave Rennie announced a 36-player squad on Thursday ahead of their first Test against the Michael Cheika-coached Pumas in Mendoza on Sunday, August 7 (AEST), with the second in nearby San Juan a week later.
Reds fullback Campbell and Melbourne prop Gibbon are two of four uncapped players in the group, with Rebels powerhouse Pone Fa’amausili and Waratahs versatile forward Jed Holloway also in contention for their first Tests on the tour.
“He’s had a great season, he’s matured, he’s deceptively quick, got a really good skill set, and comfortable on the wing and at fullback,” Rennie said of Campbell’s inclusion.
“He pushed close to making our squad originally – that was the great thing about the A programme, a chance to go away and play good opposition. I thought he was excellent over there as well.
“It was a pretty straightforward choice for us.”
Jock Campbell. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)
There are 962 total Test caps in the squad, including 14 Brumbies, nine Reds, five Waratahs and Rebels apiece and three from overseas clubs.
The Australians are looking to rebound after losing the three-Test series against England, going down 21-17 in the decider last Saturday in Sydney.
Campbell broke into the squad after impressing at fullback in the final two games for Australia A in the recent Pacific Nations Cup.
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The 27-year-old, who is equally at home on the wing, emerged on the national selection radar when he was named in a Wallabies training camp earlier this year.The late bloomer is ripe for a Test cap after first-choice fullback Tom Banks suffered a broken arm in the first Test against England.
His replacement Jordan Petaia was then ruled out of the series with a head knock and Andrew Kellaway succumbed to a hamstring strain in trianing. Reece Hodge was subsequently brought in and is set to tour with Campbell.
Rennie is permitted to bring in three overseas-based players and with Samu Kerevi missing the Argentina-leg on Commonwealth Games Sevens, the door opened for Arnold.
Marika Koroibete and Quade Cooper, who missed the England series with a calf injury, are the other two OS players in the squad.
Arnold, a 27-Test lock, who has been playing in France, joined the squad with Cadeyrn Neville (knee) and Izack Rodda (foot) missing the Rugby Championship.
Arnold played one Test on the Wallabies’ Spring tour last year, against Scotland, while his previous selection came at the 2019 Rugby World Cup.
Cooper injured his calf in the warm-up for the first England Test but has declared his availability in a boost after leading the Wallabies to five straight wins last year.
They will also have Waratahs lock Jed Holloway and Brumbies forwards Darcy Swain and Scott Sio back on deck, although Angus Bell is out with a toe injury.
“Angus Bell… I won’t even try and give you the medical term for it, but he’s ruptured the ligament under his foot, sort of like turf toe but the worst extreme of it,” Rennie said.
Australia have historically dominated Argentina but the Pumas have their tails up after recently claiming a series win over Wales, relishing their return home after two years playing Tests away through the pandemic.
However, Rennie said despite the temptation to experiment with selection to face the Pumas ahead of the Bledisloe Cup and matches against the Springboks, the Wallabies won’t be taking Argentina lightly, especially in light of their recent series win over Scotland.
“We’re not looking to give away Test caps, but there is still really good competition for places,” Rennie said.
Wallabies squad to tour Argentina (age, team, Tests played)
Allan Alaalatoa (28, Brumbies, 55 Tests)
Rory Arnold (32, TBC, 29 Tests)
Jock Campbell (27, Queensland Reds, uncapped)
Quade Cooper (34, Kintetsu Liners, 75 Tests)
Pone Fa’amausili (25, Melbourne Rebels, uncapped)
Folau Fainga’a (27, Brumbies, 28 Tests)
Lalakai Foketi (27, NSW Waratahs, 1 Test)
Nick Frost (22, Brumbies, 2 Tests)
Matt Gibbon (27, Melbourne Rebels, uncapped)
Jake Gordon (29, NSW Waratahs, 12 Tests)
Reece Hodge (27, Melbourne Rebels, 55 Tests)
Michael Hooper (c) (30, NSW Waratahs, 121 Tests)
Jed Holloway (29, NSW Waratahs, uncapped)
Len Ikitau (23, Brumbies, 15 Tests)
Marika Koroibete (29, Saitama Wild Knights, 45 Tests)
Rob Leota (25, Melbourne Rebels, 9 Tests)
Noah Lolesio (22, Brumbies, 12 Tests)
Lachlan Lonergan (22, Brumbies, 4 Tests)
Tate McDermott (23, Queensland Reds, 16 Tests)
Fraser McReight (23, Queensland Reds, 2 Tests)
James O’Connor (32, Queensland Reds, 63 Tests)
Hunter Paisami (24, Queensland Reds, 17 Tests)
Jordan Petaia (22, Queensland Reds, 18 Tests)
Matt Philip (28, Melbourne Rebels, 23 Tests)
David Porecki (29, NSW Waratahs, 3 Tests)
Pete Samu (30, Brumbies, 22 Tests)
Irae Simone (27, Brumbies, 2 Tests)
Scott Sio (30, Brumbies, 70 Tests)
James Slipper (33, Brumbies, 117 Tests)
Darcy Swain (25, Brumbies, 11 Tests)
Taniela Tupou (26, Queensland Reds, 40 Tests)
Rob Valetini (23, Brumbies, 21 Tests)
Suliasi Vunivalu (26, Queensland Reds, 1 Test)
Nic White (32, Brumbies, 50 Tests)
Harry Wilson (22, Queensland Reds, 11 Tests)
Tom Wright (24, Brumbies, 12 Tests)
© AAP
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