Naiyaravoro named in Wallabies extended squad

Waratahs star wing and Fijian born Taqele Naiyaravoro has been named in the Wallabies 40 man extended squad ahead of their Rugby Championship opener against the Springboks on the 18th of this month.

This is history as Naiyaravoro will join three other Fijians.

He will join Brumbies center Tevita Kuridrani, Brumbies wing Henry Speight and Reds center Samu Kerevi.

The 23-year-old from Yasawa says he is trying to create a good future for his two daughters Ella and Laite who were born in Australia.

He wants to set a platform for his kids since they will be settling in Australia.

Wallabies coach Michael Cheika says Naiyaravoro and Kerevi are amongst the four uncapped players and is excited to see them doing what they do best during their training.

Congratulations to @NSWWaratahs winger @TaqeleN on being selected in Michael Cheika's 40-man @Qantas Wallabies squad! pic.twitter.com/gVGb40oeyw

— Wallabies (@Wallabies) July 2, 2015

James O'Connor has not been selected but Cheika says the Reds utility back could still be part of his plans later this season, as his fitness had been an issue.

Some other prominent players that have been named in the squad are Israel Folau, Matt Giteau, Adam Ashley‑Cooper, Michael Hooper, Will Genia, Kurtley Beale, David Pocock, Drew Mitchell, James Horwill, Quade Cooper, Stephen Moore, Wyclif Palu, Bernard Foley, Christian Lealiifano and Nick Phipps.

Extended Wallabies Squad:

Rory Arnold (Brumbies)*, Adam Ashley‑Cooper (Waratahs), Kurtley Beale (Waratahs), Quade Cooper (Reds), Dave Dennis (Waratahs), James Hanson (Reds), Scott Fardy (Brumbies), Tetera Faulkner (Force), Israel Folau (Waratahs), Bernard Foley (Waratahs), Will Genia (Reds), Matt Giteau (Toulon), Scott Higginbotham (Rebels), Greg Holmes (Reds), Michael Hooper (Waratahs), Rob Horne (Waratahs), James Horwill (Reds), Samu Kerevi (Reds)*, Sekope Kepu (Waratahs), Tevita Kuridrani (Brumbies), Christian Lealiifano (Brumbies), Stephen Moore (Brumbies), Drew Mitchell (Toulon), Wyclif Palu (Waratahs), Ben McCalman (Force), Sean McMahon (Rebels), Dean Mumm (Waratahs), Taqele Naiyaravoro (Waratahs)*, Nick Phipps (NSW Waratahs), David Pocock (Brumbies), Tatafu Polota‑Nau (Waratahs), Scott Sio (Brumbies), Rob Simmons (Reds), Will Skelton (Waratahs), James Slipper (Reds), Toby Smith (Rebels)*, Henry Speight (Brumbies) ,Matt Toomua (Brumbies), Joe Tomane (Brumbies), Nic White (Brumbies).

Meanwhile, Glasgow Warriors still expect Taqele Naiyaravoro to link up with the squad ahead of the new season, regardless of his Wallaby call‑up.

Naiyaravoro signed a three‑year contract with the PRO12 side earlier this year before being called up by Australia.

The winger suggested that he would now try to settle in Australia following the welcome news yesterday that he had been selected in Michael Cheika’s wider squad.

However a Glasgow spokesperson confirmed that Naiyaravoro’s selection had no impact on his contract with the PRO12 champions, with there being no break clause should he play international rugby for the Wallabies.

Naiyaravoro scored eight tries for the Waratahs in the 2015 Super Rugby campaign.

Source: www.rugby.com.au