Hunter Paisami will be given every chance to take on the All Blacks in next week’s Bledisloe Cup opener in Sydney on September 21.
The midfielder hasn’t played since injuring his leg late last month against the Springboks in Perth, but the 26-year-old was named in Joe Schmidt’s 36-man squad on Friday.
It’s understood the inside centre is more likely to line-up in Wellington a week later, but his rapid return from an MCL injury indicates how highly regarded he is by Schmidt.
Paisami is one of two changes to the squad, with Fraser McReight re-joining the squad after missing the past four Tests due to a thumb injury. As reported, McReight’s Reds back-row teammate Liam Wright is still battling a niggly injury that hasn’t recovered how he’d hoped.
Nor is a return for last year’s World Cup skipper Dave Porecki expected anytime soon, with the hooker unlikely to be rushed back any time soon. Given the experienced rake is due to have twins in November, it’s likely the first we will see of the Waratahs hooker is in next year’s Super Rugby season.
His new Waratahs teammate Rob Leota is also being plagued by calf injuries, while winger Filipo Daugunu is still on the injury list.
Curiously, Jordan Petaia has still not been included on the injury list despite the Force remaining actively interested in signing the two-time World Cup Wallaby.
At least McReight’s return will add to the depth at openside flanker after Carlo Tizzano filled in notably in his absence against the Springboks and Pumas.
Hunter Paisami has been named in Joe Schmidt’s squad to take on the All Blacks. (Photo by Jason McCawley/Getty Images)
The biggest casualty of the squad is the axing of Reds lock Angus Blyth, who has slipped down the pecking order since being a surprise call up for the July Tests.
He has seemingly been overtaken in the squad by his new Reds teammate Josh Canham, who remains in the squad after being called up ahead of the second Springboks Test in Perth.
While Schmidt is losing patience with his young playmakers, he has largely kept faith with the squad that copped a record 67-27 hiding last weekend against Los Pumas in Santa Fe.
Marika Koroibete remains the only overseas player included in Schmidt’s squad, while winger Corey Toole and Brumbies midfield recruit David Feliuai the only uncapped players.
Schmidt’s squad will regroup on Sunday as they attempt to win back the Bledisloe Cup for the first time since 2002.
“After getting a much-needed win in the first Test, then making a good start in the second Test, we had a very disappointing final 40 minutes in Argentina,” Schmidt said in a statement on Friday.
“The upcoming Bledisloe Test in Sydney offers a great opportunity to turn that poor finish around in front of what looks like being another big home crowd.”
Fraser McReight is back in the Wallabies’ squad after missing the past four Tests due to a thumb injury. (Photo by Fiona Goodall/Getty Images)
Despite the All Blacks dropping three of their opening four Rugby Championship fixtures, including a home defeat to Argentina in Wellington, the Wallabies are considered $6 outsiders for the opening Bledisloe Test against Scott Robertson’s side.
The All Blacks are coming off narrow six-point and four-point defeats to the Springboks in South Africa.
Robertson is unlikely to make many changes to his side for the clash at Olympic Park, while Schmidt will likely recall Noah Lolesio and Tom Wright for the clash after the Brumbies duo missed the second Test in Argentina because of little niggles. Lukhan Salakaia-Loto is also expected to return.
The Test could see James Slipper become the Wallabies’ most decorated player of all time, with the 35-year-old in line to play his 140th Test.
The Wallabies have only beaten the All Blacks once in the last four years, with their last victory in the fourth and final fixture of 2020 in Brisbane.
They were last year sunk by a last minute penalty from Richie Mo’unga under the roof in Dunedin. The heartbreaking defeat saw Eddie Jones decide to usher in a new generation of players.
Since then the Wallabies have gone through another 12 months of instability, with Schmidt handing 16 players debut caps in 2024.
Wallabies squad (Wallaby number, first Australian Rugby club)
Forwards (19)
Allan Alaalatoa (#896, West Harbour Juniors)
Angus Bell (#940, Hunters Hill Rugby Club)
Josh Canham (#987, Harlequin Junior Rugby Club)
Matt Faessler (#969, USQ Saints)
Nick Frost (#953, Hornsby Lions)
Langi Gleeson (#960, Harbord Harlequins)
Tom Hooper (#964, Bathurst Bulldogs)
Isaac Kailea (#975, Harlequin Junior Rugby Club)
Fraser McReight (#937, Albany Creek Brumbies)
Josh Nasser (#979, Easts Rugby (Brisbane))
Brandon Paenga-Amosa (#918, Southern Districts)
Tom Robertson (#898, Dubbo Kangaroos)
Lukhan Salakaia-Loto (#914, Randwick)
James Slipper (#843, Bond Pirates)
Carlo Tizzano (#982,University of Western Australia)
Taniela Tupou (#917, Brothers Rugby)
Rob Valetini (#929, Harlequin Junior Rugby Club)
Jeremy Williams (#973, Wahroonga Tigers)
Harry Wilson (#933, Gunnedah Red Devils)
Backs (17)
Ben Donaldson (#962, Clovelly Eagles)
David Feliuai (uncapped, Sunnybank Dragons)
Josh Flook (#972, Brothers Rugby)
Jake Gordon (#925, Canterbury Juniors)
Len Ikitau (#944, Tuggeranong Vikings)
Max Jorgensen (#984, Balmain Wolves)
Andrew Kellaway (#943, Hunters Hill Rugby Club)
Marika Koroibete (#913, Nasinu Secondary School, Fiji)
Noah Lolesio (#934, Tuggeranong Vikings)
Tom Lynagh (#977, University of Queensland)
Tate McDermott (#936, Flinders Rugby Club)
Hunter Paisami (#932, Harlequin Junior Rugby Club)
Dylan Pietsch (#978, Leeton Phantoms)
Hamish Stewart (#986, Toowoomba Bears)
Corey Toole (uncapped, Wagga Waratahs)
Nic White (#875, Maitland Blacks)
Tom Wright (#939, Clovelly Eagles)
Unavailable for selection
Kurtley Beale
Charlie Cale
Filipo Daugunu
Harry Johnson-Holmes
Bayley Kuenzle
Rob Leota
Lachlan Lonergan
David Porecki
Blake Schoupp
Liam Wright