Schmidt calls up Olympians and overseas Wallaby for Boks

Two-times John Eales Medallist Marika Koroibete has been ushered in to a 36-man Wallabies squad for Australia’s two upcoming Rugby Championship Tests against the world champion Springboks.

Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt has been coy about whether or not he would draft in any overseas players but opted to send an SOS to Koroibete in Japan.

The 32-year-old wing has been playing with former Wallaby coach Robbie Deans’ Wild Knights since 2021.

Paris Sevens Olympian Corey Toole and West Australian junior Carlo Tizzano are two of six uncapped players in the squad, which is made up of 19 forwards and 17 backs.

Koroibete’s 2023 World Cup teammates Angus Bell and Max Jorgensen have also been named in the national set-up for the first time this year as they continue their comebacks from injury.

The Reds’ Seru Uru and Brumbies’ Luke Reimer join Tizzano and Bell as additions to the forwards from the July Tests, with Reds teammates Fraser McReight and Liam Wright ruled out with injury.

“There was plenty of discussion among the coaches but we’re hopeful that the squad selected will embrace the challenge of playing South Africa over the next fortnight or so,” Schmidt said on Thursday.

“We know there’s a lot of hard work to do ahead of those Test matches and we’re looking forward to getting back together as a group on Saturday and rolling up our sleeves.”

The squad will assemble in Brisbane on Saturday ahead of their Tests against back-to-back World Cup winners South Africa at Lang Park, in Brisbane, on August 10, before crossing the Nullarbor for a second clash at in Perth on August 17.

Players unavailable for selection include Kurtley Beale, Langi Gleeson, Harry Johnson-Holmes, Bayley Kuenzle, Rob Leota, Lachlan Lonergan, Fraser McReight, David Porecki, Blake Schoupp and Liam Wright.

Australian squad

Forwards: Allan Alaalatoa, Angus Bell, Angus Blyth, Matt Faessler, Nick Frost, Tom Hooper, Isaac Kailea, Josh Nasser, Zane Nonggorr, Billy Pollard, Luke Reimer, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, James Slipper, Carlo Tizzano, Taniela Tupou, Seru Uru, Rob Valetini, Jeremy Williams, Harry Wilson.

Backs : Filipo Daugunu, Ben Donaldson, Josh Flook, Jake Gordon, Len Ikitau, Max Jorgensen, Andrew Kellaway, Marika Koroibete, Noah Lolesio, Tom Lynagh, Tate McDermott, Hunter Paisami, Dylan Pietsch, Hamish Stewart, Corey Toole, Nic White, Tom Wright.

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