Kerevi out, Koroibete in for Wallabies tour
Wallabies star Israel Folau looks set for more time in midfield after Samu Kerevi was officially ruled out of the team’s European tour due to injury.
Coach Michael Cheika unveiled his 32-man squad on Tuesday. It features three potential debutants - rugby league convert Marika Koroibete, hooker Tolu Latu and utility back Kyle Godwin.
Kerevi went under the knife on Tuesday, telling his Instagram followers it was time for surgery on his ankle.
Having made eight appearances for Australia since his debut against England earlier this year, Kerevi looked right at home in the No 13 jersey but after he sustained the ankle injury in Saturday’s 37-10 Bledisloe Cup defeat at Eden Park, Cheika will be forced to find a different solution at outside centre.
That could mean a formal move from fullback to the centres for Folau, one that many supporters and rugby luminaries alike have been demanding for months and where he spent time for the Waratahs earlier in the year.
However, after Kerevi was taken from the field against New Zealand, Folau attacked from the frontline but defended at fullback and Cheika is believed to be in favour of persisting with the hybrid role as opposed to a permanent shift to No 13.
There are no real surprises in the squad, mainly because Fijianborn winger Koroibete revealed he would be going on the European tour while he was still playing for NRL side Melbourne.
Latu and Godwin were standouts for the NSW Country Eagles, who were beaten by Perth Spirit in the National Rugby Championship grand final at the weekend, and both have previous Wallaby squad experience.
Halfback Will Genia has been released by his French club for a test recall as the tour comes inside World Rugby’s international window. But the clashes against Wales and England to start and finish the tour fall outside that window, meaning Cheika will have to negotiate with Stade Francais to ensure Genia is available.
The trip represents just the third full Grand Slam tour of the United Kingdom and Ireland for the Wallabies since the success of the 1984 side led by Andrew Slack.
Australia will also take on France on November 19 and the French Barbarians on November 24, with players from outside the squad likely to be called upon for the latter fixture.
That could be a good opportunity to blood the likes of Taniela Tupou, Izaia Perese and Jack Dempsey, who will reportedly join the Wallabies on tour as development players. The team will depart for Europe on Friday.