Wallabies talisman spotted back in camp
After suffering their biggest ever defeat to Argentina last weekend, the challenge only gets harder for Australia as they have a double header with world champions South Africa next weekend. With an injury list that dwarfs Rory Arnold, that is a daunting prospect for head coach Dave Rennie.
Fortunately for the Wallabies boss, he has been boosted by the return of Michael Hooper to the Wallabies camp. The skipper missed the two matches in Argentina for personal reasons, and though he is still not part of Australia’s Rugby Championship squad, footage has emerged of him back with the squad on the Gold Coast.
The footage came from a video which showed Folau Fainga’a being secretly mic’d up in the gym, and showed Hooper in and amongst the squad again. Even though he is not scheduled to play against the Boks, having a player of his experience and leadership will be a massive help to Rennie.
Take a look:
One of the big calls from this latest squad is Rennie’s decision to drop James O’Connor in place of Bernard Foley, who returns to the squad for the first time in three years.
“We’ve got a lot of our game plan stuff to get a bit of study done and he’s been doing additional training and he’s been in Sydney with our staff having a decent look at him,” Rennie said about Foley.
“We will make a call on Bernard once we’ve got him in camp on Sunday.”
WALLABIES: Allan Alaalatoa, Rory Arnold, Angus Bell, Jock Campbell, Pone Fa’amausili, Folau Fainga’a, Lalakai Foketi, Bernard Foley, Nick Frost, Langi Gleeson, Jake Gordon, Reece Hodge, Jed Holloway, Len Ikitau, Andrew Kellaway, Marika Koroibete, Rob Leota, Noah Lolesio, Lachlan Lonergan, Tate McDermott, Fraser McReight, Hunter Paisami, Jordan Petaia, Matt Philip, David Porecki, Pete Samu, Scott Sio, James Slipper, Darcy Swain, Taniela Tupou, Rob Valetini, Suliasi Vunivalu, Nic White, Harry Wilson, Tom Wright.
