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In what is perhaps a pointer to Eddie Jones’ World Cup thinking, the returning Australian coach is set to call-up Japanese-based Wallabies Quade Cooper and Samu Kerevi for next week’s Barbarians invitational fixture against Steve Hansen’s World XV.
Despite time being of the essence less than four months out from the World Cup, Jones will return to Twickenham for the first time since being sacked by the Rugby Football Union last December to coach the Barbarians for their May 28 fixture – the day after the English Premiership final.
The Roar understands the final details are being put in place to allow both Cooper and Kerevi to line up in the fixture, with a who’s who set to play for the World XV including Charles Piutau, Marika Koroibete, Semi Radradra and Israel Folau.
Samu Kerevi and Quade Cooper. (Photo by Jono Searle/Getty Images)
Their call-ups are fascinating given what’s on the horizon.
Robbed of crucial time in the saddle this year after devastating season-ending injuries just weeks apart last August, the high-profile Wallabies made their returns earlier this month for their respective Japanese sides.
Cooper, returning from a ruptured Achilles heel, played less than a minute of time for Kintetsu Liners to ensure he was eligible to take the field for their promotion/relegation matches.
He then ensured the Liners will stay in the League One competition, as he immediately led to the turnaround in their fortunes guiding them to back-to-back victories.
Along the way, Cooper hit some crucial time markers in an encouraging sign moving forward.
Kerevi, meanwhile, made his return for Suntory Sungoliath in their semi-final loss to Bernard Foley’s Kubota Spears after his ACL injury during last year’s Commonwealth Games campaign.
The powerful midfielder came off the bench and played 23 minutes.
Wallabies head coach Eddie Jones will oversee the Barbarians later this month as he returns to Twickenham for the first time since being sacked by the RFU. (Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images)
Both men were chosen in Jones’ April World Cup training squad and appeared via Zoom, ensuring they were across the detail should both be chosen for higher honours later this year.
The duo last combined during the 2021 Rugby Championship, leading the Wallabies to back-to-back victories against the Springboks and Pumas in Australia.
Jones met the pair during a recent trip to Japan.
During the Australian’s visit, he smoothed things over with Kerevi. His ‘TBC’ has now been scratched, with Kerevi on board for the Wallabies’ World Cup tilt should he be selected.
The experienced Wallabies shape as crucial figures in Jones’ World Cup tilt.
This month’s Barbarians match will allow Jones some more time with the pair and, importantly, some more kilometres in the legs against a dazzling side with some of the most electric players in the world.
Both are likely first XV players when fit, with Cooper unbeaten in six Tests since making his return for the Wallabies after a four-year exile. It’s that stat alone that has many believing he’s ahead of Foley despite the former Waratahs playmaker in superb form in Japan.
Jones has just five Tests – and four before he must name a World Cup squad – to work out his preferred side before the Wallabies run out against Georgia in their first World Cup fixture against Georgia at the Stade de France in Paris on September 10.
Jones said he was looking forward to his former home.
“I am very much looking forward to returning to Twickenham Stadium — a venue I have so many fond memories of — as head coach of the Barbarians, and I’m more motivated than ever to put on a show,” he said.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.