The inclusions of Olympic speedster Corey Toole and two-time John Eales Medallist Marika Koroibete headline a revamped Wallabies squad picked to play the Springboks in the Rugby Championship.
Toole continued his electric season for Australia’s sevens team that finished fourth in Paris after a heartbreaking bronze medal loss to South Africa at Stade de France.
The 24-year-old – one of the fastest men in world rugby – provides an exciting wing option for coach Joe Schmidt, as does Japan-based Koroibete who is the only overseas player included in a 36-strong squad.
Brumbies flyer Toole is one of six uncapped players in a group that will tackle the world champions at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium on August 10 and Perth’s Optus Stadium on August 17.
Other notable inclusions are Waratahs stars Angus Bell and Max Jorgensen, who had been on the injured list, and uncapped forwards Seru Uru (Reds), Carlo Tizzano (Force) and Luke Reimer (Brumbies).
Schmidt will be without the services of his first pick as captain, Liam Wright, and one of his star performers in fellow flanker Fraser McReight.
Both Reds stars are sidelined with injury among a casualty ward that also includes Kurtley Beale, Langi Gleeson, Harry Johnson-Holmes, Bayley Kuenzle, Rob Leota, Lachlan Lonergan, David Porecki and Blake Schoupp.
“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.
“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 players enjoyed the vocal support we received during the July Tests, and they will be looking to earn continued public support over the coming weeks.”
Reds prop Alex Hodgman, Brumbies No.8 Charlie Cale and newly signed Waratahs winger Darby Lancaster – who made their Test debuts in July – were among the players to miss out.
There is also no room for France-based former captain Will Skelton.
Schmidt did not name a captain and it will likely be a job share between props James Slipper and Allan Alaalatoa, who led Australia in last month’s wins against Wales and Georgia respectively.
The Wallabies went 3-0 in July while the Springboks went 2-1 – sharing a home series against Ireland before walloping Portugal.
South Africa are also missing a long list of injured players including Jean Kleyn, Lood de Jager, Franco Mostert, Steven Kitshoff, Faf de Klerk, Jaden Hendrikse, Herschel Jantjies, Canan Moodie, Edwill van der Merwe and Damian Willemse while Jasper Wiese is suspended.
The Springboks were due to arrive in Australia on Thursday.
“Some of the players come off a well deserved rest, while the younger players are beaming with excitement about this tour, so we are travelling to Australia with good groundwork already in place, and hopefully that pays off,” Springboks coach Rassie Erasmus said.
“We’ll get straight into the swing of things as soon as possible to acclimatise to the conditions and environment and hit the ground running in the hope of getting the tour off to a good start.
“They are a well coached team, and they have a new coach in Joe Schmidt, so they are a proper team. They are also very detail focused and they have a few new players who we haven’t really encountered before, so we have no doubt they’ll give everything.
“We are playing against an Australian team that have historically performed well at home, so we want to correct the mistakes we made in the last few games, and just as they would like to, we want to win both matches in Australia.
“When Joe was the coach of Ireland I worked closely with him during my time at Munster, and he is a man with a great work ethic and who knows how to bring the best out of his players, so we know the magnitude of the challenge that lies ahead.”
One leading bookmaker on Thursday had the Springboks as $1.25 favourites to win in Brisbane, with the Wallabies at $4.
“There was pressure on us in 2019, during the British and Irish Lions tour in 2021, and in the Rugby World Cup last year,” Erasmus said.
“And we know that people expect us to win, but as always, we’ll give our best on the field and hopefully the rest will take care of itself.”
The Wallabies Squad for the tests against South Africa has been named. Paris Olympian Corey Toole is one of the six uncapped players in the squad 💪
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— Stan Sport Rugby (@StanSportRugby) August 1, 2024
WALLABIES:Â 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, 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
SPRINGBOKS:Â Siya Kolisi (c), Ben-Jason Dixon, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Thomas du Toit, Eben Etzebeth, Johan Grobbelaar, Vincent Koch, Elrigh Louw, Frans Malherbe, Malcolm Marx, Bongi Mbonambi, Salmaan Moerat, Ox Nche, Ruan Nortje, Kwagga Smith, RG Snyman, Gerhard Steenekamp, Marco van Staden, Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Lukhanyo Am, Kurt-Lee Arendse, Damian de Allende, Aphelele Fassi, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Cheslin Kolbe, Jesse Kriel, Willie le Roux, Makazole Mapimpi, Manie Libbok, Handre Pollard, Cobus Reinach, Morne van den Berg, Grant Williams
WALLABIES 2024 SCHEDULE
The Rugby Championship and Bledisloe Cup
Wallabies vs South Africa, 2.30pm AEST, Saturday August 10 at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Wallabies vs South Africa, 7.45pm AEST, Saturday August 17 at Optus Stadium, Perth
Wallabies vs Argentina, 8am AEST, Sunday September 1 at Estadio Uno, La Plata
Wallabies vs Argentina, 5am AEST, Sunday September 8 at Estadio Colon, Santa Fe
Wallabies vs New Zealand, 3.45pm AEST, Saturday September 21 at Accor Stadium, Sydney
Wallabies vs New Zealand, 5.05pm AEST, Saturday September 28 at Sky Stadium, Wellington
End of year tour
Wallabies vs England, 2.10am AEDT, Sunday November 10, Twickenham, London
Wallabies vs Wales, 3.10am AEDT, Monday November 18, Principality Stadium, Cardiff
Wallabies vs Scotland, 12.40am AEDT, Monday November 25, Murrayfield, Edinburgh
Wallabies vs Ireland, 2.10am, Sunday December 1, Aviva Stadium, Dublin
