Folau hope for Wallabies

INJURY concerns Israel Folau and Taniela Tupou are racing the clock to make a comeback after being included in a 31strong Wallabies squad for The Rugby Championship clashes against South Africa and Argentina.

Folau is considered a “50-50” chance of playing the Springboks in Brisbane on Sat- urday night after only running for the first time on Friday since injuring his ankle against the All Blacks in Sydney two weeks ago. The clash against the Pumas is on the Gold Coast on September 15.

Folau was a surprise squad inclusion after initially being ruled out for at least a month when the fullback hobbled off the field in the first Bledisloe Cup loss a fortnight ago.

Tupou backed himself to not only play but start for besieged coach Michael Cheika against the Springboks at Suncorp Stadium. He damaged his hamstring before the Bledisloe Cup opener.

“If Cheika wants me to start, definitely it’s something I have been looking forward to,” Tupou said.

The squad for the two Tests features three new faces — Brumbies Player of the Year Rory Arnold and Queensland pair Brandon Paenga-Amosa and Caleb Timu. Hooker Paenga-Amosa featured in all three Tests of Australia’s 2-1 series loss to Ireland in June while Timu is in fine form after a try for Queensland Country in Saturday’s National Rugby Championship clash with Canberra Vikings.

Arnold is a lock option for Cheika along with Lukhan Tui, Izack Rodda, Adam Coleman and Rob Simmons against the Springboks.

The Wallabies — last on the Rugby Championship table — are desperate to bounce back to form. They have lost six of their past seven Tests including back-to-back defeats to the All Blacks that have put Cheika’s future under the microscope.