0
By Fraser Smith
Thu 22nd September 16
Qantas Wallabies Head Coach Michael Cheika has named Dane Haylett-Petty, Adam Coleman and Luke Morahan in his 30-man Wallabies squad for their upcoming South African and England tour.
Continuing to show faith in the next generation Cheika has also named uncapped Waratahs hooker Tolu Latu and Rebels back Sefania Naivalu in the touring party.
Rookie prop Allan Alaalatoa returns from a knee injury to be included in the squad, while some stellar Buildcorp NRC form has given Nick Frisby the opportunity to add to his two Tests.
Ben McCalman and Drew Mitchell will return to clubs Perth Spirit and Toulon, respectively, to gain match fitness, while Tatafu Polatu-Nau has been rested and not considered for selection.
Naivalu’s rise has been extraordinary, the first player from Melbourne’s Dewar Shield Club Rugby competition to directly earn a professional Super Rugby contract, signing with the Rebels in late 2013.
Naivalu excelled in his first two seasons, as one of the competition’s most dynamic finishers and now finds himself on the cusp of Wallabies selection just three seasons on from playing with the Box Hill Rugby Club.
This is not the first time Latu has been selected in a Wallabies squad. A broken arm cost him his chance in 2014, after he was initially named as a replacement for Polota-Nau.
Latu has been a standout for the table-topping NSW Country Eagles in this year’s Buildcorp NRC while also featuring in four games for the Waratahs this season.
The Wallabies have won 10 of the last 15 fixtures against the Springboks, although have not won in South Africa since August 2011, winning 14-9 at Kings Park, Durban.
The Wallabies will play South Africa at Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria, next Sunday morning at 1:05AM (AEST), before their historic Rugby Championship fixture and Rugby World Cup Semi Final rematch against Argentina at Twickenham, London.
For tickets to see Argentina take on the Wallabies at Twickenham on October 8, head to Ticketmaster.co.uk(http://www.ticketmaster.co.uk/event/350050778A2A12CA)
Qantas Wallabies Touring Squad
Allan Alaalatoa (Brumbies)
Rory Arnold (Brumbies)
Adam Coleman (Force)
Quade Cooper (Reds)
Kane Douglas (Reds)
Scott Fardy (Brumbies)
Israel Folau (Waratahs)
Bernard Foley (Waratahs)
Nick Frisby (Reds)
Will Genia (Stade Francais)
James Hanson (Rebels)
Dane Haylett-Petty (Force)
Reece Hodge (Rebels)
Michael Hooper (Waratahs)
Sekope Kepu (Waratahs)
Samu Kerevi (Reds)
Tevita Kuridrani (Brumbies)
Tolu Latu (Waratahs)*
Sean McMahon (Rebels)
Stephen Moore © (Brumbies)
Luke Morahan (Force)
Dean Mumm (Waratahs)
Sefania Naivalu (Rebels)*
Nick Phipps (Waratahs)
Tom Robertson (Waratahs)
Rob Simmons (Reds)
Scott Sio (Brumbies)
James Slipper (Reds)
Henry Speight (Brumbies)
Lopeti Timani (Rebels)
*Uncapped
https://www.westernforce.com.au/arti...-touring-squad