Three uncapped players were named Thursday in the Wallabies squad to face the All Blacks in next week’s third Bledisloe Cup Test in Japan, where Sekope Kepu is set to make his 100th appearance.
NSW Waratahs lock Jed Holloway (main pix) earned his first call-up after an impressive Super Rugby season, while teammate and scrum-half Jake Gordon and Melbourne Rebels flanker Angus Cottrell also got the nod.
The untried trio will be hoping to force their way into Michael Cheika’s spring tour squad and make a late push for consideration for next year’s World Cup in Japan.
Queensland Reds centre Samu Kerevi makes his return in the 31-man squad after missing the entire Rugby Championship with a bicep injury.
The 25-year-old has not played since the third Test against Ireland in June, with Reece Hodge starting at outside centre in all six games in his absence.
But Tevita Kuridrani was again been left out as he continues to recover from injury.
The clash against New Zealand in Yokohama on October 27 will be a memorable occasion for Kepu who is in line to become the Wallabies’ ninth centurion, and the first prop to record 100 caps in Australian Test history.
Cheika goes into the game with some breathing space after Australia wiped out a 24-point half-time deficit for a stunning 45-34 triumph over Argentina in Salta earlier this month.
There had been growing public and media calls for the coach to be axed after six losses in eight matches this season ahead of the trip to South America.
Forwards
Jermaine Ainsley, Allan Alaalatoa, Rory Arnold, Adam Coleman, Angus Cottrell, Jack Dempsey, Folau Fainga’a, Ned Hanigan, Jed Holloway, Michael Hooper (capt), Sekope Kepu, Tolu Latu, Brandon Paenga-Amosa, David Pocock, Izack Rodda, Rob Simmons, Scott Sio, Taniela Tupou
Backs
Tom Banks, Kurtley Beale, Israel Folau, Bernard Foley, Will Genia, Jake Gordon, Dane Haylett-Petty, Reece Hodge, Samu Kerevi, Marika Koroibete, Jack Maddocks, Sefa Naivalu, Nick Phipps
– Agence France-Presse
