Wallabies to blood kids against Ireland
AUSTRALIA HEAD coach Michael Cheika has named five uncapped players in a 32-man squad for the threeTest series against Ireland.
Brumbies duo Folau Fainga’a and Tom Banks, Rebels full-back Jack Maddocks and Reds forwards Brandon Paenga-Amosa and Caleb Timu are all included.
Melbourne-born loose forward Pete Samu appears unlikely to be selected due to a an impasse between the ARU and NZRU.
“At this point we can’t select him but there is a spot for him,” Cheika said.
Samu, 26, plays for Super Rugby champions Crusaders.
“At this point, it’s in others’ hands,” Cheika added. “I’m not really involved in that part of it but I’m hoping there will be some more clarity on that on Thursday.”
In Samu’s absence, Timu is in line for a maiden Test appearance, slotting into a back row alongside David Pocock and captain Michael Hooper.
With former captain Stephen Moore retired and Tatafu Polota-Nau rested, the Wallabies will field a rookie hooker, with Paenga-Amosa and Fainga’a seeking Test debuts behind the twicecapped Jordan Uelese.
Blindside Ned Hanigan has been named but will miss at least the first Test as he recovers from a knee injury.
Cheika was cagey about his favoured back-row combination and which position veteran ballpoacher Pocock will play.
The Australia coach added: “Whether he wears seven, six or eight, he will have his standard floating role so he can do exactly what he does best - he’s always straight into his strong points.”
Rebels scrum-half Will Genia has been named in the squad despite missing a month of Super Rugby with a knee injury.
AUSTRALIA SQUAD
Forwards: Allan Alaalatoa, Rory Arnold, Adam Coleman, Folau Fainga’a, Ned Hanigan, Michael Hooper, Sekope Kepu, Brandon Paenga-Amosa, David Pocock, Tom Robertson, Rob Simmons, Scott Sio, Izack Rodda, Caleb Timu, Lukhan Tui, Taniela Tupou, Jordan Uelese. Backs: Tom Banks, Kurtley Beale, Israel Folau, Bernard Foley, Will Genia, Dane HaylettPetty, Reece Hodge, Samu Kerevi, Marika Koroibete, Tevita Kuridrani, Jack Maddocks, Sefanaia Naivalu, Nick Phipps, Joe Powell, Curtis Rona.