NRL recruit Suaalii makes the Wallabies squad for European tour

Wallabies head coach Joe Schmidt (left) with Aust XV coach Rod Seib. Picture: stock

Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt has named overseas-based duo Will Skelton and Samu Kerevi alongside former Rooster Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii for his 34-man European tour squad.

Skelton and Kerevi are two of five new faces under Schmidt this year.

High-profile NRL recruit Suaalii forms an uncapped trio with NSW playmaker Tane Edmed and Western Force outside back Harry Potter.

Reds utility forward Seru Uru and Brumbies rake Billy Pollard earned recalls after they missed the Bledisloe squad selection.

“We have a relatively consistent group but will integrate a few new players on tour,” Schmidt said in a Rugby Australia statement.

“Trying to balance opportunities for players, some recent squad members will get much needed game time with Australia XV, which also enables us to broaden our cohort of players in what will be highly competitive fixtures.”

Meanwhile, Australia XV coach Rod Seib will draw upon 14 Wallabies in his 30-man squad to tackle Bristol and England A next month.

Angus Blyth, Josh Canham, Tom Hooper, Lachlan Lonergan, Josh Nasser, Zane Nonggorr, Luke Reimer and Darcy Swain all boast Test caps in the pack while Jock Campbell, Issak Fines-Leleiwasa, Josh Flook, Darby Lancaster, Tom Lynagh and Hamish Stewart have donned Wallaby gold.

Uncapped Reds quartet Massimo De Lutiis, Harry McLaughlin-Phillips, John Bryant and Joe Brial will also travel with the Australia XV with De Lutiis have yet to play Super Rugby while centre duo Joey Walton (Waratahs) and Ollie Sapsford (Brumbies) are inclusions alongside Corey Toole

“To have 14 Wallabies as part of the group illustrates the depth that’s currently being created in Australian Rugby,” Seib said in a statement.

“This tour represents a great opportunity for this group of players and staff to test themselves against two high-quality Northern Hemisphere opponents and is a challenge we’re all looking forward to.”

Another 13 players were named as unavailable for selection including recent Wallaby captains Liam Wright, David Porecki, former All Black prop Alex Hodgman and Kurtley Beale (Achilles).

THE SQUAD

Allan Alaalatoa, Angus Bell, Matt Faessler, Nick Frost, Langi Gleeson, Isaac Kailea, Fraser McReight, Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Billy Pollard, Tom Robertson, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Will Skelton, James Slipper, Carlo Tizzano, Taniela Tupou, Seru Uru, Rob Valetini, Jeremy Williams, Harry Wilson, Ben Donaldson, Tane Edmed, Jake Gordon, Len Ikitau, Max Jorgensen, Andrew Kellaway, Samu Kerevi, Noah Lolesio, Tate McDermott, Hunter Paisami, Dylan Pietsch, Harry Potter, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, Nic White, Tom Wright.

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