ACT Brumbies flyer Henry Speight has also been included in the squad, although at this stage will not be considered for selection as he enters the final stages of his rehabilitation from an injured hamstring.
Instead, Speight will use the week to further familiarise himself with the Wallabies environment, before once again becoming available during Australia’s five-game Spring Tour, which includes matches against the Barbarians, Wales, France, Ireland and England.
Speight is one of four uncapped members in the squad, alongside Western Force tighthead prop Tetera Faulkner and centre Kyle Godwin, and Melbourne Rebels winger Tom English.
In a further change, Melbourne Rebels backrower Luke Jones has also received a call-up, after previously earning his international debut for Australia in the second Test against France in June.
ACT Brumbies centre Matt Toomua drops out of the squad through injury after receiving a head knock in Australia’s most recent clash against Argentina in Mendoza, while flyhalf Kurtley Beale will not been considered until a Code of Conduct Hearing is finalised.
In other news, medical staff have advised that Western Force backrower Ben McCalman will be unavailable for the remainder of the year, following a shoulder injury he sustained against South Africa a fortnight ago.
Qantas Wallabies coach Ewen McKenzie will finalise his 23-man matchday squad next Tuesday.
“You’re always searching for the right balance of experience and youth in a squad, so it’s pleasing to see Quade Cooper available once again and also a number of potential debutants putting their hand up for selection,” McKenzie said.
“All four of the debutants have had some exposure to the Wallabies program this year, which is invaluable as they continue their transition into the group.
“While Henry has made great progress, we’ve already had once false-start with his injury this year, so we’ll continue to take a conservative approach until he is 100 percent ready to go.
“Quade too has been progressing nicely and will come into the squad having played three matches in the National Rugby Championship. This will be his first involvement in the squad environment this year, so we’ll look forward to assessing where he is up to when we assemble in Brisbane on Sunday.”
Players who have not been considered for selection due to injury include, but is not limited to, hookers Stephen Moore (knee), Tatafu Polota-Nau (ankle), Nathan Charles (pectoral), Tolu Latu (arm) and Heath Tessman (ankle); prop Scott Sio (ankle); backrowers Wycliff Palu (head), David Pocock (knee); Ben McCalman (shoulder) and Dave Dennis (knee); centre Matt Toomua (head) and outside backs Peter Betham (ankle); and Chris Feauai-Sautia (shoulder).
Tickets for the match against the All Blacks at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane are available via Ticketek.
Fans are invited to attend an open training session in Brisbane on Monday 13 October from 3:30pm at Ballymore (231 Butterfield Street, Herston). Following training, fans have the chance to receive autographs and photos with their favourite players.
The Qantas Wallabies squad for the upcoming Test against New Zealand is:
Player
State
Age
Test Caps
PROP
Ben Alexander
ACT Brumbies
29
68
Tetera Faulkner
Western Force
26
Uncapped
Sekope Kepu
NSW Waratahs
28
47
Benn Robinson
NSW Waratahs
30
68
James Slipper
Queensland Reds
25
58
HOOKER
Saia Fainga’a
Queensland Reds
27
31
James Hanson
Queensland Reds
26
5
Josh Mann-Rea
ACT Brumbies
33
1
LOCK
Sam Carter
ACT Brumbies
25
7
James Horwill
Queensland Reds
29
55
Rob Simmons
Queensland Reds
25
45
Will Skelton
NSW Waratahs
22
4
BACKROW
Scott Fardy
ACT Brumbies
30
19
Scott Higginbotham
Melbourne Rebels
28
30
Matt Hodgson
Western Force
33
8
Michael Hooper (c)
NSW Waratahs
22
37
Luke Jones
Melbourne Rebels
23
1
Jake Schatz
Queensland Reds
24
1
SCRUMHALF
Will Genia
Queensland Reds
26
55
Nick Phipps
NSW Waratahs
25
23
Nic White
ACT Brumbies
23
17
FLYHALF
Quade Cooper
Queensland Reds
26
50
Bernard Foley
NSW Waratahs
25
13
CENTRE
Kyle Godwin
Western Force
22
Uncapped
Tevita Kuridrani
ACT Brumbies
23
16
Christian Leali'ifano
ACT Brumbies
27
13
BACK-THREE
Adam Ashley-Cooper
NSW Waratahs
30
99
Tom English
Melbourne Rebels
23
Uncapped
Israel Folau
NSW Waratahs
25
24
Rob Horne
NSW Waratahs
25
21
Henry Speight
ACT Brumbies
26
Uncapped
Joe Tomane
ACT Brumbies
23
11
