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.
The Roar experts Brett McKay and Harry Jones are joined by Kiwi writer Jamie Wall to discuss the end of the winter tours
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)
Lenz
Guest
It seems JOC has fallen out of favour but i think he's the kind of player we need. We lack creativity in the midfield which is more of a problem when Noah plays or when our 15 offers nothing. JOC has lost his speed but is a 'complete footballer' similar to kelleway. I think he's struggled to create attacking opportunities at 10 when faced with high quality defense but he's still better than Noah or other 10's that come to mind. Given some ad line or space he's excellent at running straight engaging defenders and putting players in holes. Id have him behind behind quade but ahead of noah. I rate kelleway but while he's out id have james at 15 which compliments the firepower wright and marika offer. Although itll never happen i think he's also a viable option at 13 as im not sure if ikatau has shown enough and i dont think paisami will ever have the skills we're hoping for.
Rugbynutter
Roar Rookie
Yeh creighton at 12 for brumbies worth a look given Australia A perforrances. Battle between him and Ollie sapsford for 22 jersey I suspect. Mogg probably fullback but wright over time may be good to try there, but equally doing well on the wing.
Rugbynutter
Roar Rookie
Completely aligned to your views here and has same questions about Campbell as whether test quality but agree probably only way find out is to give him an opportunity and tempted to start him ahead of hodge. Equally wonder if wright or kellaway could be our long term fullbacks. Jordy still maybe in the mix but questions about his durability remain.
Ozrugbynut
Roar Rookie
DR has apparently called for it considering the injury situation, from reports during the week. I felt the cap of 4 was always going to be an issue, regardless of the current situation. We should seriously consider that it is in the interest of RA that top players (of any level of experience ie Gold caps) may be better off taking the savings from not shelling out to retain them in a local comp and leveraging off the high quality programs in cashed up rugby jurisdictions whilst we build our own. But don’t want to reopen that debate whilst I’m still in mourning from the weekend..
FunBus
Roar Rookie
What on Earth is Kerevi doing at the Commonwealth Games instead of playing for the Wallabies?
FunBus
Roar Rookie
Kerevi is not available because if the Commonwealth Games? Really?
Big A
Roar Rookie
the other thing i was thinking about with Pete Samu – how long does a guy play 20 min every week without full games before his game starts to drop off – abit like being on the bench for Real Madrid week after week after week – there come a time when you start to regress as a player – i’m sure Rennie and his coaches have all this under control – abit like the way they’re managing Hooper into the ground playing him 80 min all the time and not giving McReight abit of a look in to help him develop and to prolong Hooper – to me this is basic stuff and i’m not sure that Rennie is ticking all these boxes – there’s no point having all these other guys if we don’t give em a go – we’re not developing these young guys like we should be doing – it’s all very reactionary to the point that if Quade and Kerevi aren’t playing then we’re shot birds – getting pretty hard to maintain the rage – then he tells us yesterday that Arnold is in the squad for Argie and yet he’s carrying a niggle and is nowhere near match fit – then why take him – could have put another of the young guys in there to see how they go – winning obviously isn’t the priority with 39% record – we should be trying as many out to see if we get any diamonds – Frost was a perfect example –
Nick Maguire
Roar Rookie
cheers tsuru, I try.
tsuru
Roar Rookie
Nicko! A “ can of Pandora’s” - not sure if that’s an invention of yours, but if it is, congratulations. One of the best mixed metaphors I’ve heard. Love it. Up there with “It’s not rocket surgery.”
mailman
Guest
I never said Holloway would of made an impact against England Twas, but given Leota's below average performance- by his own usually good standards I think Holloway deserves a shot based on his great super rugby form.
tsuru
Roar Rookie
Having seen Creighton go pretty well at 13 for the A’s I wonder if he might’ve an option at 12 for the Brumbies.
Nick Maguire
Roar Rookie
Melbourne club Rugby - Dewar Shield
Greg
Roar Rookie
There was mention of Pone playing some club rugby before they go. Not sure where?
PeterK
Roar Guru
Grew up in Qld up until finished uni and moved to nsw. Played all my rugby in qld. But lived a lot longer now in NSW. Wallabies my first team, Tahs my 2nd team, Reds my 3rd. I am never parochial re considering selections for the wallabies. I honestly don’t care at all which state the player comes from, just want what is best for the wallabies.
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
That would have been the obvious choice. Gibbon was a surprise but I'm very pleased for him. I've never seen him play poorly
Crusher_13
Roar Rookie
Irae Simone scored at least two tries running a hard line last year. And one where he ran over someone then around BB. He can run the hard line but offers more than just that line.
savant
Roar Rookie
To be fair I’m pretty sure swinton would still be the 6 if he hadn’t got injured
Crusher_13
Roar Rookie
Funny the wallabies lost when more reds played. 1 reds player on the bench and a strong win, 2 or more reds starting and the wallabies lose. Maybe dropping all the reds players is the solution?
Machooka
Roar Guru
Ffs... yes! :laughing:
Nick Maguire
Roar Rookie
You can be a passenger on the bus, you can drive the bus, or you can be run over by the F'ing bus!