Three players with links to Fiji, Langi Gleeson, Rob Valetini and Filipo Daugunu have been named in the Wallabies’ 36-man squad for the British and Irish Lions tour series, while veteran flyhalf James O’Connor has forced his way back into the squad that was named today.
Gleeson, Valetini and Daugunu did not get a chance to represent their Super Rugby clubs against the Lions when they played the 5 Australian Super Rugby Pacific teams last month and earlier this month, but lined up for the Wallabies against the Fiji Water Flying Fijians last weekend.
O’Connor, who had a title-winning finish to this season’s Super Rugby Pacific with the Crusaders, was earlier dropped from the squad selected that was selected to play Fiji, but has now been recalled into the initial squad to prepare for the Lions series following the exclusion of Noah Lolesio due to injury.
In a statement, Coach Joe Schmidt says that as Wallabies coaches, they have tried to balance continuity with form and freshness, but there were some very tight calls.
Schmidt says they are conscious of how special it is to play the British and Irish Lions, so for those selected in the squad, they’ll be competing for Test jerseys, while also trying to help others prepare.
He says they need to improve their accuracy and cohesion with a very short runway leading up to the first Test here in eight days.
He adds they are excited by what’s to come.
The Wallabies squad include Allan Alaalatoa, Angus Bell, Josh Canham, Nick Champion De Crespigny, Matt Faessler, Nick Frost, Langi Gleeson, Tom Hooper, Fraser McReight, Zane Nonggorr, Billy Pollard, David Porecki, Tom Robertson, Will Skelton, James Slipper, Carlo Tizzano, Taniela Tupou, Rob Valetini, Jeremy Williams, Harry Wilson, Filipo Daugunu, Ben Donaldson, Jake Gordon, Len Ikitau, Max Jorgensen, Andrew Kellaway, Tom Lynagh, Tate McDermott, James O’Connor, Hunter Paisami, Dylan Pietsch, Harry Potter, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, Corey Toole, Nic White, and Tom Wright.
The Wallabies will take on the British and Irish Lions at 10pm next Saturday at Suncorp Stadium.
The British and Irish Lions will play the AUSNZ Invitational XV at 10pm tomorrow.
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