Australia head coach Dave Rennie calls up six uncapped players for the summer series against England as Wallabies turn to Japan-based trio ahead of three-Test series
- Dave Rennie called up six uncapped players for Test series against England
- Australia coach also called up Japan-based trio ahead of the summer series
- Quade Cooper, Samu Kerevi and Marika Koroibete are the overseas picks
Australia head coach Dave Rennie has called up six uncapped players for the summer series with England.
The Wallabies, who have lost their last three Tests, have named Pone Fa’amausili, Nick Frost, Jed Holloway, Cadeyrn Neville, David Porecki and Suliasi Vunivalu in a 35-man squad.
Japan-based trio Quade Cooper, Samu Kerevi and Marika Koroibete are also included – having all been absent from the November clash when England ran out 32-15 winners.
Quade Cooper (above) is one of Australia’s three overseas picks for the Tests against England
Wallabies coach Dave Rennie has called up six uncapped players for the summer series
Speaking on his decisions, Rennie said: ‘It’s probably not that secret anyway but we’ve got Quade, Samu and Marika all coming back.
‘Quade and Samu are here in Sydney just getting medical checks and Marika went straight to Fiji to spend some time with his family and he’ll be back on the weekend.
‘Marika is one of the best wingers in the world – I’m not sure there’s another winger with his work ethic and repeatability. He’s just top gear all day so we’re looking forward to getting that back.’
Izack Rodda is a notable absentee for the Wallabies, who last won the Cook Cup back in 2015 and will aim to build momentum this summer ahead of the World Cup in France next year.
Dave Rennie labelled Marika Koroibete as ‘one of the best wingers in the world’ falling call up
Rodda, who has a foot injury, started Australia’s narrow loss to Wales in November alongside Kurtley Beale, and is another sidelined with fitness concerns and not in the squad.
Eddie Jones’ England will play three fixtures against Australia as they aim to extend their winning streak against Rennie’s men, having won the last eight contests.
Australia will host Jones’ side in Perth on July 2, Brisbane on July 9 and Sydney on July 16.
Second row Izack Rodda (above) is a notable absentee for the Wallabies following a foot injury