Three new faces in Michael Cheika’s squad for Wallabies’ European tour
Marika Koroibete, Tolu Latu and Kyle Godwin named as potential debutants ahead of games against Wales, Scotland, France, Ireland and England starting next month
.png?itok=arIb17P0)
Wallabies coach Michael Cheika included three uncapped players in a 32-man squad for their European tour as they look to bounce back from another demoralising defeat by the dominant All Blacks.
Fresh from unleashing a tirade against New Zealand for a perceived lack of respect after their 37-10 win in Auckland on Saturday, Cheika named Marika Koroibete, Tolu Latu and Kyle Godwin as potential debutants.
Australia face Wales, Scotland, France, Ireland and England on their northern hemisphere jaunt, with the first test against the Welsh at Millennium Stadium on November 6 the Wallabies’ 600th.
Flanker Dean Mumm will miss the game after being been suspended for one match after striking All Blacks lock Brodie Retallick in Saturday’s test, where Cheika refused to congratulate New Zealand on posting a world-record 18th consecutive victory.
Watch: Kyle Godwin
Cheika, who took offence at being portrayed as a clown in a New Zealand newspaper cartoon, is also without powerful centre Samu Kerevi, who has been ruled out of the entire tour with an ankle injury that needed surgery.
That opens the door again for Tevita Kuridrani in the starting 15, after Kerevi overtook him in the pecking order.
‘Stop whining,’ New Zealand’s Steve Hansen tells Australian counterpart Michael Cheika
Aside from rugby league convert Koroibete, hooker Latu and utility player Godwin, there were no real surprises in the squad skippered by Stephen Moore.
Halfback Will Genia will join the team after being released by his French club Stade Francais for a potential test recall as the tour comes inside World Rugby’s international window.
The trip represents just the third full grand slam tour of the United Kingdom and Ireland for the Wallabies since the success of the 1984 side led by Andrew Slack.
Meanwhile, rising England star Maro Itoje has been ruled out of the end-of-year internationals due to injury.
New Zealand overcome Australia in Bledisloe Cup for record 18th straight test triumph
The 21-year-old fractured his right hand during Saracens’ victory over Welsh side Scarlets at Allianz Park in the European Champions Cup on Saturday.
North London club Saracens said Itoje, the European player of the year, will require surgery and be sidelined for at least six weeks.
That will rule him out of England’s upcoming internationals against South Africa, Fiji, Argentina and Australia at Twickenham, starting with the match against the Springboks on November 12.
“For any team to lose a player of the ability of Maro is a blow, and he will be missed through the autumn for both Saracens and England,” said Saracens director of rugby Mark McCall.
Australia squad for season-ending tour of Europe:
Forwards: Allan Ala’alatoa, Rory Arnold, Adam Coleman, Kane Douglas, Scott Fardy, James Hanson, Michael Hooper, Sekope Kepu, Marika Koroibete, Tolu Latu, Sean McMahon, Stephen Moore, Dean Mumm, David Pocock, Tom Robertson, Rob Simmons, Scott Sio, Will Skelton, James Slipper, Lopeti Timani
Backs: Quade Cooper, Israel Folau, Bernard Foley, Nick Frisby, Will Genia, Kyle Godwin, Dane Haylett-Petty, Reece Hodge, Tevita Kuridrani, Sefanaia Naivalu, Nick Phipps, Henry Speight
