Wallabies on loan to Tahs & Brumbies
Four Wallabies have been released from a training camp to turn out for their Super Rugby teams against the touring British and Irish Lions.
Waratahs captain Dave Dennis and inside centre Rob Horne will join their state side ahead of Saturday's match against the Lions in Sydney.
Brumbies utility forward Peter Kimlin and prop Scott Sio will feature in their team's match against the Lions in Canberra on Tuesday.
The decision of Wallabies coach Robbie Deans to release the quartet gives the Waratahs and Brumbies a boost, while also guaranteeing the players more playing time and valuable exposure to the tourists' playing style prior to the start of the Test series in Brisbane on June 22.
The British media accompanying the Lions have raised concerns that the unbeaten tourists may not have been pushed hard enough for the Test series opener after playing a number of under-strength teams on the tour so far.
The ARU said the four players will return to the Wallabies squad after their tour matches.
The Wallaby team for the first Test will be announced next Thursday, June 20.
The Waratahs team to play the Lions will be announced on Friday.
Dennis and Horne join Bernard Foley and Matt Lucas, who were released by the Australian Sevens squad earlier this week – where the national seven-a-side team was staging a three-week training camp ahead of the World Cup later this month.
Their return has been welcomed by Waratahs Head Coach Michael Cheika, who had been forced to call up eight Shute Shield players to cover the absence of the team's 10 Wallabies, six injured players and two on Sevens duty.
As well as helping NSW, the decision of Wallabies' coach Robbie Deans to release them also guarantees the players more rugby – and valuable exposure to the tourists' playing style – prior to the start of the Test series in Brisbane next Saturday.
Cheika and his squad will now race the clock to finalise their preparation for one of the biggest games in NSW Waratahs history.
Waratahs players unavailable for selection:
With the Wallaby squad: Benn Robinson, Sekope Kepu, Kane Douglas, Michael Hooper, Wycliff Palu, Berrick Barnes, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Israel Folau.
Injured: Tatafu Polota Nau (broken arm), Greg Peterson (dislocated shoulder), Mitchell Chapman (medial ligament), Sitaleki Timani (broken thumb), Michael Hodge (torn hamstring), Lachie Turner (broken leg).
