Kurtley Beale is set to be named in the Wallabies’ squad for the two-Test Bledisloe Cup series to provide more playmaking cover, but Japan-bound lock Rory Arnold will not feature in either clash against the All Blacks due to family reasons.
Wallabies coach Dave Rennie will name a 36-man squad on Thursday ahead of the first Test against New Zealand in Melbourne next Thursday night at Marvel Stadium. The second Test will be played at Eden Park in Auckland on September 24.
After being hammered by injuries and withdrawals all winter, the Wallabies finally got a sliver of good news this week in the shape of a comparatively positive report on the calf injury of Taniela Tupou. The injury is not as bad as feared and Tupou will be named in the squad, but his availability for the first Bledisloe clash will be dependent on a fitness test on Friday on the Gold Coast.
Arnold will not be named, as per an agreement made with Wallabies officials earlier in the year. Arnold’s wife is heavily pregnant and the pair are relocating to Japan, where the big lock is playing next year, ahead of the birth. Arnold will miss the spring tour as well, as part of the Wallabies’ commitment to not select Japan-based players for the November trip.
Noah Lolesio and Hunter Paisami will both be named in the squad on Thursday, but their availability for the first Test in Melbourne is clouded.
They both failed HIAs during the Wallabies’ loss to South Africa in Sydney at the weekend and must clear further tests to be available for selection.
Rory Arnold tackles Makazole Mapimpi in Sydney.Credit:Getty
Paisami is the more doubtful of the duo given he suffered category one concussion symptoms and is serving a stand down of up to 12 days. That deadline would fall on the day of the Test, but given he would also have to observe restricted training, Rennie may elect to make an early call.
Lolesio failed a HIA during the game but will undergo more testing when he gets into camp. If he is symptom-free, the young No.10 can potentially be available.
If Lolesio is ruled out, Bernard Foley shapes as a strong chance to make another remarkable comeback, having last played for the Wallabies in 2019. The Japan-based five-eighth joined the Wallabies squad after the team returned from Argentina.
Beale has also trained with the Wallabies as part of a wider group for the last three weeks and is set to be named in the squad proper on Thursday.
Kurtley Beale training with the Wallabies on the Gold Coast.Credit:Getty
The 32-year-old has signed with the Waratahs for next year, so doesn’t qualify as a Giteau Law pick. But Beale hasn’t played a game since March due to a hamstring injury picked up playing for Racing 92 in Paris.
As seen with James O’Connor, Harry Wilson and other Queensland squad members, Beale would have been available to play club rugby last weekend but he doesn’t play for either of the grand finalists, Sydney Uni and Gordon.
With Samu Kerevi also out of contention and Irae Simone having moved to Clermont, the Wallabies are short of No.12s but Beale could bolster the midfield ranks, alongside Lalakai Foketi and Len Ikitau.
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