Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt has named a host of new faces for the two-Test tour of South Africa to begin the Rugby Championship.
New ACT Brumbies recruit Tane Edmed and Queensland Reds second-rower Lukhan Salakaia-Loto are among the new additions to the 35-player squad.
Edmed will be looking to add to his one Test cap, with Tom Lynagh (concussion) ruled out after his knock in the final British & Irish Lions Test.
He is joined by Brumbies teammate Ryan Lonergan, with Jake Gordon unavailable as well.
Lonergan is one of three scrum halves in the squad alongside Tate McDermott and Nic White, with White shelving plans for retirement for the time being.
The Brumby is also part of a trio of uncapped players alongside club teammate Corey Toole and newly eligible Red Aidan Ross.
Meanwhile, it’s a well deserved call-up for Salakaia-Loto after he impressed on the Lions tour for Queensland, the AUNZ XV and First Nations Pasifika.
Josh Flook and John Nasser have also joined the squad, with Filipo Daugunu (birth of child) and Matt Faessler (injury) not making the trip.
Western Force hooker Brandon Paenga-Amosa earns another nod following his late inclusion in last week’s Test side, with Dave Porecki officially retiring from professional Rugby earlier in the week.
Lions hero Will Skelton has also been named for the start of the Rugby Championship after inital speculation about his availability.
The Wallabies will play two Tests in South Africa, the first at Emirates Airline Park in Johannesburg on Saturday, August 16 (local time), before travelling to Cape Town for the second match at DHL Stadium on Saturday, August 23.
“It’s pleasing to be able to keep the core of the group together, while also leaning on some depth and fresh bodies,” coach Joe Schmidt said.
“We’re very conscious of how difficult it is going to be, playing South Africa on their home turf over two consecutive weekends.
“The group has made some positive steps throughout the start of the Test season but we all know there is a lot of hard work ahead of us.”
Forwards (20)
Angus Bell (#940, Hunters Hill Rugby Club, NSW Waratahs, 39)
Nick Champion De Crespigny (#991, Canberra Grammar School, Western Force, 1)
Nick Frost (#953, Hornsby Lions, ACT Brumbies, 29)
Langi Gleeson (#960, Harbord Harlequins, NSW Waratahs, 17)
Tom Hooper (#964, Bathurst Bulldogs, ACT Brumbies, 13)
Fraser McReight (#937, Albany Creek Brumbies, Queensland Reds, 29)
Josh Nasser (#979, Easts Rugby (Brisbane), Queensland Reds, 6)
Zane Nonggorr (#966, Gold Coast Eagles, Queensland Reds, 12)
Brandon Paenga-Amosa (#918, Southern Districts, Western Force, 21)
Billy Pollard (#958, Lindfield Junior Rugby Club, ACT Brumbies, 10)
Tom Robertson (#898, Dubbo Kangaroos, Western Force, 33)
Aidan Ross (uncapped, TBC, Queensland Reds, 0)
Lukhan Salakaia-Loto (#914, Randwick, Queensland Reds, 41)
Will Skelton (#883, The Hills Sports High School, Stade Rochelais (France), 34)
James Slipper (#843, Bond Pirates, ACT Brumbies, 147)
Carlo Tizzano (#982, University of Western Australia, Western Force, 8)
Taniela Tupou (#917, Brothers Rugby (Brisbane), NSW Waratahs, 59)
Rob Valetini (#929, Harlequin Junior Rugby Club, ACT Brumbies, 53)
Jeremy Williams (#973, Wahroonga Tigers, Western Force, 14)
Harry Wilson (#933, Gunnedah Red Devils, Queensland Reds, 26)
Backs (15)
Ben Donaldson (#962, Clovelly Eagles, Western Force, 19)
Tane Edmed (#990, West Harbour Juniors, NSW Waratahs, 1)
Josh Flook (#972, Brothers Rugby, Queensland Reds, 4)
Len Ikitau (#944, Tuggeranong Vikings, ACT Brumbies, 43)
Max Jorgensen (#984, Balmain Wolves, NSW Waratahs, 11)
Andrew Kellaway (#943, Hunters Hill Rugby Club, NSW Waratahs, 41)
Ryan Lonergan (uncapped, Tuggeranong Vikings, ACT Brumbies, 0)
Tate McDermott (#936, Flinders Rugby Club, Queensland Reds, 45)
James O’Connor (#832, St Joseph’s College, Nudgee, Crusaders (New Zealand), 64)
Hunter Paisami (#932, Harlequin Junior Rugby Club, Queensland Reds, 31)
Dylan Pietsch (#978, Leeton Phantoms, Western Force, 6)
Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii (#988, The Kings School, NSW Waratahs, 8)
Corey Toole (uncapped, Wagga Waratahs, ACT Brumbies, 0)
Nic White (#875, Maitland Blacks, Western Force, 73)
Tom Wright (#939, Clovelly Eagles, ACT Brumbies, 41)
Unavailable for selection due to injury
Allan Alaalatoa
Charlie Cale
Massimo De Lutiis
Matt Faessler
Jake Gordon
Noah Lolesio
Tom Lynagh
Harry Potter
Luke Reimer
