By Paul Jones
Joe Schmidt has bolstered his 34-srong Grand Slam chasing Wallabies squad for their clash against Wales in the Autumn Nations Series by recalling 2023 World Cup players Samu Kerevi and Will Skelton.
Skelton, who captained the Aussies against Georgia at the World Cup, and Kerevi have not featured in this year’s internationals to date, but are among five fresh faces brought into the tour party by Schmidt.
Samu Kerevi is back in the Wallabies fold 👊
More on today's squad announcement: https://t.co/J1j3oR9Y8k#Wallabies pic.twitter.com/F5iuhD2KJH
— RUGBYcomau (@rugbycomau) October 22, 2024
Recent recruit Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, the former Australian Schoolboys representative who returned to the 15-man game from Sydney Roosters rugby league side last week, is one of three uncapped players in the squad and could feature anywhere in the three-quarter line after his headline grabbing transfer.
The 21-year-old joins Waratahs outside half Tane Edmed and Western Force wing Harry Potter as uncapped players.
Brumbies hooker Billy Pollard and versatile Queensland forward Seru Uru also return to a squad that comprises 19 forwards and 15 backs.
Your squads travelling to the UK and Ireland next month.#Wallabies pic.twitter.com/AU8nZ2URdD
— Wallabies (@wallabies) October 22, 2024
Schmidt will get his squad together in Sydney this week before they head to the UK next week to take on England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland in an attempt to repeat the heroics of Alan Jones’ 1984 Wallabies, who completed the Grand Slam 40 years ago.
The Australians have already picked up two narrow wins over Wales this year on the summer tour down under by Warren Gatland’s men and will be the second of three teams to visit Principality Stadium next month.
"You can't have two training sessions and then get picked for Australia. He's got to play a game beforehand and it can't be a Test.
"That's absolute rubbish." @AndrewVossy on @wallabies coach Joe Schmidt confirming Joseph Suaalii will debut on the Spring Tour #Wallabies pic.twitter.com/Y1CwAtw2yp
— Vossy & Brandy SEN 1170AM Sydney (@VossyBrandySEN) October 22, 2024
The three-match schedule kicks-off with a game against Fiji on Sunday, 10 November. The Wallabies arrive on Sunday, 17 November and the world champion Springboks’ are the final opponents for Wales on Saturday, 23 November.
“The squad has had a chance to regenerate over the last few weeks. At the same time, it was good to catch up with a wider group of players in the two-day training hubs we had in Canberra and Brisbane last week,” said Schmidt.
“We have a relatively consistent group but will integrate a few new players on tour. Trying to balance opportunities for players, some recent squad members will get much needed game time with Australia XV, which also enables us to broaden our cohort of players in what will be highly competitive fixtures.”
A 30-man Australia XV will also head ‘North’ to play games against Bristol Bears and England A.
Joe Schmidt on Joseph Suaalii;
* Unlikely to play against England
* he expected him to make his debut on the tour either starting or off the bench
* Unsure of his best position yet but either centre, wing or 15
* Joe was under no direction from RA https://t.co/5e9P4Z4N1U— OBBY (@OBBY001) October 22, 2024
Wallabies Autumn Nations Series Squad
Forwards (19)
Allan Alaalatoa, Angus Bell, Matt Faessler, Nick Frost, Langi Gleeson, Isaac Kailea, Fraser McReight, Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Billy Pollard, Tom Robertson, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Will Skelton, James Slipper, Carlo Tizzano, Taniela Tupou, Seru Uru, Rob Valetini, Jeremy Williams, Harry Wilson.
Backs (15)
Ben Donaldson, Tane Edmed*, Jake Gordon, Len Ikitau, Max Jorgensen, Andrew Kellaway, Samu Kerevi, Noah Lolesio, Tate McDermott, Hunter Paisami, Dylan Pietsch, Harry Potter*, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii*, Nic White, Tom Wright
* Uncapped