Surprise selections in large Wallabies squad

Lalakai Foketi, Andrew Kellaway and Michael Wells are three bolters in Dave Rennie’s Wallabies squad for next month’s three-test series against France.

A 38-man squad was unveiled yesterday that includes injured Waratahs centre Izaia Perese and back-rower Lachie Swinton. The latter could face a lengthy suspension from a high shot in Saturday’s 40-7 loss to the Chiefs.

Despite their winless season the Waratahs have six representatives – captain Michael Hooper, prop Angus Bell, halfback Jake Gordon, Perese and Swinton, plus a left-field selection in Foketi.

A fringe player for number of years, Foketi has been rewarded for some decent form of late in a midfield combination with Perese for the Waratahs.

Meanwhile, former Waratahs fullback Kellaway, now at the Melbourne Rebels after a stint abroad, returns to the national setup.

Kellaway, a former Junior Wallabies star, was taken on the 2016 spring tour under coach Michael Cheika but is yet to make his international debut.

Another former NSW player, Wells, has squeezed into the squad alongside fellow loose forwards Rob Leota, Fraser McReight, Isi

Naisarani, Rob Valetini, Harry Wilson, Wells, Swinton and Hooper.

Wells was unwanted by the Waratahs in 2019 but has been very strong since moving to Melbourne.

Australia’s first test against France is on July 7 in Sydney.