Wallabies freshen up for big Test

THE Wallabies have brought in more fresh blood for next weekend’s clash with the Barbarians, with James Slipper and Ben McCalman named to make their long-awaited Test returns.

Slipper, McCalman, Kane Douglas and Kyle Godwin have been included in the 28man squad for the match at Sydney’s Allianz Stadium, along with young Queensland back-rower Liam Wright who earns his first call-up.

But 13 players from the team that beat New Zealand 23-18 in Saturday night’s third Bledisloe Cup Test will be rested. They include Rob Simmons, who has been cleared of major injury after he was stretchered from the field in the second half.

Captain Michael Hooper, the in-form Kurtley Beale and second-row enforcer Rob Simmons are among the others who will get a week off ahead of the end-of-year tour of Japan and Europe. The match against the Alan Jones-coached Barbarians will be Australia’s last on home soil for 2017.

Meanwhile Israel Folau will miss Australia’s end-of-season tour and will take a break from rugby after next weekend’s clash with the Barbarians, coach Michael Cheika has confirmed.

Folau had the opportunity to play club rugby in Japan over the summer as part of his contract with the ARU.

But after a discussion with Cheika several months ago, the 28-year-old fullback decided it was in his best interests to step away from the game.