Marika Koroibete was surprisingly left out of the Wallabies squad for their Rugby Championship test match against South Africa at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday.
The 32-year-old former Melbourne Rebels star has been playing club rugby for Japanese side Saitama Wild Knights since 2021 and was added to the Wallabies’ expanded squad after not being included in new coach Joe Schmidt’s plans for the matches against Wales and Georgia last month.
The veteran, who has played in 59 Tests, was selected for Australia and was expected to put up a tough challenge against the reigning world champions.
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But Schmidt opted for Filippo Daugunu and Andrew Kellaway as wingers, with Koroiwete not even named on the bench, with the versatile Dylan Piec being preferred.
“There’s a mix of continuity and freshness in the team, and the players have worked with good enthusiasm this week, but we know there’s still a lot of work to be done,” Schmidt said.
“We know the scale of the challenge and the scale of the opponents, but there is a desire within the group of players to go the extra mile.”
Schmidt made six changes to the team that started Australia’s 40-29 win over Georgia in Sydney on July 20.
Flanker Carlo Tizzano is set to make his debut for the Wallabies, replacing the injured Fraser McWright.
Elsewhere in the forward line, hooker Matt Fesler comes on for Billy Pollard, while lock Lucan Salakaia-Lotto comes on for Angus Blythe.
Half Jake Gordon and Noah Loretio were brought back to replace Tate McDermott and Ben Donaldson, while Callaway came on for winger Darby Lancaster.
McDermott has been named on the bench alongside ACT Brumbies flanker Luke Reimer as a potential debutant.
Wallabies: Isaac Caillia, Matt Fessler, Alan Alaratoa, Nick Frost, Lucan Salakaia-Lotto, Rob Ballettini, Carlo Tizzano, Harry Wilson, Jake Gordon, Noah Rolesio, Philip Dagunu, Hunter Paisami, Len Ikitau, Andrew Kellaway, Tom Wright. Bench: Josh Nasser, James Sleeper, Jane Nongor, Jeremy Williams, Luke Reimer, Tate McDermott, Tom Linagh, Dylan Piech.
