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Cooper recalled by Wallabies

Mercurial flyhalf Quade Cooper earned a recall to the Australia set-up, but Kurtley Beale was sidelined as he awaits a hearing into claims he sent offensive texts about a staff member.

Cooper, 26, was included in Ewen McKenzie's 32-man squad for next week's third and final Bledisloe Cup Test against New Zealand, who have already retained the trophy.

But there was no place for Beale, who missed last week's loss to Argentina following a mid-air bust-up and was later suspended pending the hearing into the text message claims.

Cooper has not played for Australia this year, after he suffered a shoulder injury in May and lost his place to Bernard Foley in the starting line-up.

"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," coach McKenzie said in a statement.

"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," he added.

The Reds playmaker was a significant inclusion along with uncapped Fiji-born wing Henry Speight, who was named even though he is in the final stages of rehabilitation from a hamstring injury.

Team officials said Speight would use the week to further familiarise himself with the Wallabies environment ahead of their five-game European tour next month.

Speight is one of four uncapped members in the squad, alongside Western Force tighthead prop Tetera Faulkner and centre Kyle Godwin, and Rebels wing Tom English.

Rebels back row forward Luke Jones also received a call-up after making his debut for Australia in the second Test against France in June.

Centre Matt Toomua was not considered after receiving a head knock in Australia's 17-21 Rugby Championship loss in Argentina last weekend.

Western Force back row forward Ben McCalman, meanwhile, is unavailable for the remainder of the year after injuring his shoulder against South Africa a fortnight ago.

Other players on the injury list include Stephen Moore (knee), Tatafu Polota-Nau (ankle), Nathan Charles (pectoral), Scott Sio (ankle), Wycliff Palu (head), David Pocock (knee), Ben McCalman (shoulder) and Dave Dennis (knee).

"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," McKenzie said.

 

"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."

 

McKenzie will finalise his 23-man match day squad next Tuesday.

Australian squad:

Forwards: Ben Alexander, Tetera Faulkner, Sekope Kepu, Benn Robinson, James Slipper, Saia Fainga'a, James Hanson, Josh Mann-Rea, Sam Carter, James Horwill, Rob Simmons, Will Skelton, Scott Fardy, Scott Higginbotham, Matt Hodgson, Michael Hooper (captain), Luke Jones, Jake Schatz.

Backs: Will Genia, Nick Phipps, Nic White, Quade Cooper, Bernard Foley, Kyle Godwin, Tevita Kuridrani, Christian Leali'ifano, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Tom English, Israel Folau, Rob Horne, Henry Speight, Joe Tomane.

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