Kerevi returns as Wallabies name squad for third Bledisloe

Wallabies coach Michael Cheika has named three uncapped players in his 31-man squad for the third Bledisloe Cup clash against New Zealand in Japan.

Waratahs forward Jed Holloway has earned his first squad call-up after an impressive season in Super Rugby while fellow New South Welshman Jake Gordon and Melbourne Rebels flanker Angus Cottrell are the other two uncapped players.

Queensland centre Samu Kerevi makes his return to the Wallabies fold after missing the entire Rugby Championship with a bicep injury. The 25-year old hasn’t played since the third Test against Ireland in June with Reece Hodge starting at outside centre in all six games in Kerevi’s absence.

Brumbies pair Tom Banks and Rory Arnold will fly to Japan on Sunday after being released for the Canberra Vikings’ National Rugby Championship (NRC) semi-final against Fijian Drua in Lautoka, Fiji.

The clash against New Zealand in Yokohama next Saturday is set to be a memorable occasion for Sekope Kepu who is in line to become the Wallabies 9th centurion, and the first prop to record 100 caps in Australia’s Test history.

The squad for the Spring Tour of Wales, Italy and England will be named following the final Bledisloe Cup clash of 2018.

Forwards

Jermaine Ainsley (1 Test, Melbourne Rebels, 23)

Allan Alaalatoa (29 Tests, Brumbies, 24)

Rory Arnold (18 Tests , Brumbies, 28)

Adam Coleman (28 Tests, Melbourne Rebels, 26)

Angus Cottrell* (uncapped, Melbourne Rebels, 28)

Jack Dempsey (6 Tests, NSW Waratahs, 24)

Folau Fainga’a (5 Tests, Brumbies, 23)

Ned Hanigan (17 Tests, NSW Waratahs, 23)

Jed Holloway* (uncapped, NSW Waratahs, 25)

Michael Hooper (c) (87 Tests, NSW Waratahs, 26)

Sekope Kepu (99 Tests, NSW Waratahs, 32)

Tolu Latu (9 Tests, NSW Waratahs, 25)

Brandon Paenga-Amosa (4 Tests, Queensland Reds, 22)

David Pocock (74 Tests, Brumbies, 30)

Izack Rodda (13 Tests, Queensland Reds, 22)

Rob Simmons (90 Tests, NSW Waratahs, 29)

Scott Sio (51 Tests, Brumbies, 27)

Taniela Tupou (8 Tests, Queensland Reds, 22)

Backs 

Tom Banks (2 Tests, Brumbies, 24)

Kurtley Beale (80 Tests, NSW Waratahs, 29)

Israel Folau (69 Tests, NSW Waratahs, 29)

Bernard Foley (64 Tests, NSW Waratahs, 29)

Will Genia (96 Tests, Melbourne Rebels, 30)

Jake Gordon* (uncapped, NSW Waratahs, 25)

Dane Haylett-Petty (27 Tests, Melbourne Rebels, 29)

Reece Hodge (33 Tests, Melbourne Rebels, 24)

Samu Kerevi (21 Tests, Queensland Reds, 25)

Marika Koroibete (17 Tests, Melbourne Rebels, 26)

Jack Maddocks (5 Tests, Melbourne Rebels, 21)

Sefa Naivalu (7 Tests, Melbourne Rebels, 26)

Nick Phipps (69 Tests, NSW Waratahs, 29)

*uncapped

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