ACT Brumbies backrower Toby Macpherson is one step closer to earning his first cap in Wallaby gold, being selected in the 34-man squad for the upcoming Bledisloe Cup Series against New Zealand.
The Wallabies will see a rotation in several players, with the likes of Tom Hooper and Taniela Tupou set to return to their respective clubs of Exeter and Racing 92 in Europe, with the Wallabies next two Tests falling outside World Rugby’s Regulation 9 window.
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Having had a big season at the Brumbies and been marked as a star to watch with 13 caps for Australia U20, including serving as the side's captain, the 22-year-old Macpherson is set to come in for Hooper, while Wallaby #1000 Massimo de Lutiis is recalled to the squad in place of Tupou.
He is set to be one of two potential debutants, with Harry McLaughlin-Phillips retaining his spot in the squad after being named in the wider squad for South Africa.
Among the other changes, Filipo Daugunu has also been recalled to the squad after recovering from a minor knee injury, while Hunter Paisami has also been named, but his selection is pending the outcome of a Disciplinary Committee Hearing tonight following his yellow card late against the Springboks.
Should Paisami’s ban be upheld, Jock Campbell will be a late addition to the squad in his place.
After working his way back into the Brumbies side through Super Rugby Pacific and Super Rugby AUS, Nick Frost has been called in as injury cover for Josh Canham, who a minor hamstring strain in Perth.
Canham has been named in the squad, with his potential involvement in the upcoming Bledisloe Cup series to be determined.
After departing the field early against South Africa, Len Ikitau has also been named in the squad, with Nick Champion de Crespigny, who was brought in as an injury cover for Charlie Cale, also set to retain his spot in the side.
The squad is set to assemble in Auckland on Sunday to commence preparations for the first of two clashes against the All Blacks, the first being at Eden Park next Saturday.
“It’s pleasing to keep the core of our squad together for the upcoming Bledisloe Cup Series against New Zealand,” Wallabies head coach Les Kiss confirmed following the squad confirmation.
“They're a motivated playing group who take pride in representing the gold jersey and each other, but we know Auckland is a huge challenge that will demand we be at our best."
(Wallaby number, first Australian Rugby club, Super Rugby Pacific club, Test caps)
Forwards (19)
Allan Alaalatoa (#896, West Harbour Juniors, ACT Brumbies, 94)
Angus Bell (#940, Hunters Hill Rugby Club, NSW Waratahs, 58)
Josh Canham (#987, Harlequin Junior Rugby Club, Queensland Reds, 8)
Nick Champion de Crespigny (#991, Canberra Grammar School, Western Force, 5)
Massimo De Lutiis (#1000, Surfers Paradise Dolphins, Queensland Reds, 3)
Isaac Kailea (#975, Harlequin Junior Rugby Club, NSW Waratahs, 9)
Toby Macpherson (uncapped, Goondiwindi Junior Emus, ACT Brumbies, 0)
Fraser McReight (#937, Albany Creek Brumbies, Queensland Reds, 47)
Josh Nasser (#979, Easts Rugby (Brisbane), Queensland Reds, 16)
Zane Nonggorr (#966, Gold Coast Eagles, Queensland Reds, 20)
Brandon Paenga-Amosa (#918, Southern Districts, Western Force, 31)
Billy Pollard (#958, Lindfield Junior Rugby Club, ACT Brumbies, 25)
Aidan Ross (#994, Bond University, Queensland Reds, 7)
Lukhan Salakaia-Loto (#914, Randwick, Queensland Reds, 48)
Lachlan Shaw (#996, University of Queensland, ACT Brumbies, 5)
Carlo Tizzano (#982, University of Western Australia, Western Force, 17)
Rob Valetini (#929, Harlequin Junior Rugby Club, ACT Brumbies, 69)
Jeremy Williams (#973, Wahroonga Tigers, Western Force, 33)
Harry Wilson (c) (#933, Gunnedah Red Devils, Queensland Reds, 43)
Backs (15)
Filipo Daugunu (#931, Wests Bulldogs, Queensland Reds, 24)
Ben Donaldson (#962, Clovelly Eagles, Western Force, 26)
Isaac Henry (#999, Kenmore Bears, Queensland Reds, 4)
Len Ikitau (#944, Tuggeranong Vikings, ACT Brumbies, 55)
Max Jorgensen (#984, Balmain Wolves, NSW Waratahs, 28)
Ryan Lonergan (#993, Tuggeranong Vikings, ACT Brumbies, 13)
Tate McDermott (#936, Flinders Rugby Club, Queensland Reds, 56)
Harry McLaughlin-Phillips (uncapped, Gunnedah Red Devils, Western Force, 0)
Declan Meredith (#997, Barron Trinity Bulls, ACT Brumbies, 3)
Hunter Paisami (#932, Harlequin Junior Rugby Club, Queensland Reds, 39)
Jordan Petaia (#930, Wests Bulldogs, Urayasu D-Rocks (Japan), 31)
Harry Potter (#989, Moorabbin Rams, NSW Waratahs, 16)
Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii (#988, The Kings School, NSW Waratahs, 25)
Kalani Thomas (#995, Springfield Hawks, Queensland Reds, 2)
Tom Wright (#939, Clovelly Eagles, ACT Brumbies, 51)
Injury Cover
Nick Frost (#953, Hornsby Lions, ACT Brumbies, 38)
Unavailable for selection
Charlie Cale
Josh Flook
Langi Gleeson
Carter Gordon
Jake Gordon
Matt Philip
Henry Robertson
Pete Samu
Blake Schoupp
Will Skelton
