Two players with Fijian heritage—Rob Valetini and Langi Gleeson—have been named in the Wallabies' 35-member squad for the upcoming Rugby Championship, which kicks off next Sunday.
Wallabies head coach Joe Schmidt has included the powerful forwards in a team that also features several new faces, including ACT Brumbies recruit Tane Edmed and Queensland Reds lock Lukhan Salakaia-Loto.
Edmed, who earned his first Test cap last year, has been brought into the squad following the unavailability of Tom Lynagh, who is recovering from a concussion sustained in the final British & Irish Lions Test.
Brumbies halfback Ryan Lonergan also joins the squad, with Jake Gordon ruled out.
Meanwhile, La Rochelle-based lock Will Skelton returns to the national side amid early uncertainty about his availability.
The Wallabies are set to open their Rugby Championship campaign with two Tests in South Africa.
They face the Springboks at Emirates Airline Park in Johannesburg on Sunday, 17th August at 3.10am, followed by a second Test at DHL Stadium in Cape Town on 24th August.
Forwards (20) Angus Bell Nick Champion De Crespigny Nick Frost Langi Gleeson Tom Hooper Fraser McReight Josh Nasser Zane Nonggorr Brandon Paenga-Amosa Billy Pollard Tom Robertson Aidan Ross Lukhan Salakaia-Loto Will Skelton James Slipper Carlo Tizzano Taniela Tupou Rob Valetini Jeremy Williams Harry Wilson
Backs (15) Ben Donaldson Tane Edmed Josh Flook Len Ikitau Max Jorgensen Andrew Kellaway Ryan Lonergan Tate McDermott James O’Connor Hunter Paisami Dylan Pietsch Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii Corey Toole Nic White Tom Wright
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