Hunt in Wallabies frame for All Blacks
SYDNEY: Inside back Karmichael Hunt was recalled to the Wallabies squad yesterday to face the All Blacks after a lengthy layoff for ankle surgery.
One of the stars of Australia’s home Tests in June, Hunt has been out of action for eight weeks and will likely be on the bench for next weekend’s clash with New Zealand in Brisbane.
Back-rower Adam Korczyk has forced his way into contention, while Rory Arnold, Lopeti Timani and Izaia Perese are also back in the frame.
“We’ll see how Hunt goes at training, how he plays this weekend in the National Rugby Championship,” said coach Michael Cheika.
“In the last camp in June, he pretty much forced his way into the team. He’s probably got a bit more competition now as we’ve built the squad over the Rugby Championship.”
With veteran Stephen Moore due to retire this year, Cheika also selected rookie trio Folau Fainga’a, Jermaine Ainsley and Duncan Paia’aua to join the leadup camp so he can have a closer look at them.
“With Stephen retiring at the end of the year, we’re looking at a couple of younger hookers,” he said.
Australia last played New Zealand in Brisbane in 2014, when they suffered a heartbreaking defeat after a try with the last play of the game.
The Wallabies have so far failed in their quest to beat the All Blacks this year after two defeats in Sydney and Dunedin respectively in August.