Kerevi out, Koroibete in for Wallabies

Wallabies star Israel Folau looks set for more time in midfield after Samu Kerevi was officially ruled out of the team’s European tour due to injury.

Coach Michael Cheika unveiled his 32-man squad on Tuesday, which features three potential debutants – rugby league convert Marika Korobiete, hooker Tolu Latu and utility Kyle Godwin.

Kerevi went under the knife on Tuesday, telling his Instagram followers it was time for surgery on his ankle.

Having made eight appearances for Australia since his debut against England earlier this year, Kerevi looked right at home in the No.13 jersey but after sustaining the injury in Saturday’s 37-10 Bledisloe Cup defeat at Eden Park, Cheika will be forced to find a different solution at outside centre.

That could mean a formal move from fullback to the centres for Folau, one that many supporters and rugby luminaries alike have been demanding for months.

However, Folau attacked from the frontline but defended at fullback after Kerevi was taken from the field against New Zealand, and Cheika is believed to be in favour of persisting with the hybrid role as opposed to a permanent shift.

There are no real surprises in the squad, mainly because Fijian-born winger Korobiete revealed he would be going on the European tour while he was still playing for NRL side Melbourne Storm.

Latu and Godwin have been standouts for the NSW Country Eagles, who were beaten by Perth Spirit in the National Rugby Championship grand final at the weekend, and both have previous Wallaby squad experience.

Halfback Will Genia has been released by his French club Stade Francais for a Test recall as the tour comes inside World Rugby’s international window.

The trip represents just the third full Grand Slam tour of the United Kingdom and Ireland for the Wallabies since the success of the 1984 side led by Andrew Slack.

Australia will also take on France on November 19 and the French Barbarians on November 24, with players from outside the squad likely to be called upon for the latter fixture.

That could be a good opportunity to blood the likes of Taniela Tupou, Izaia Perese and Jack Dempsey, who will reportedly join the Wallabies on tour as development players.

The team will depart for Europe on Friday.

Wallabies: Allan Alaalatoa, Rory Arnold, Adam Coleman, Quade Cooper, Kane Douglas, Scott Fardy, Israel Folau, Bernard Foley, Nick Frisby, Will Genia, Kyle Godwin, James Hanson, Dane Haylett-Petty, Reece Hodge, Michael Hooper, Sekope Kepu, Marika Koroibete, Tevita Kuridrani, Tolu Latu, Sean McMahon, Stephen Moore (capt), Dean Mumm, Sefanaia Naivalu, Nick Phipps, David Pocock, Tom Robertson, Rob Simmons, Scott Sio, Will Skelton, Henry Speight, James Slipper, Lopeti Timani.

European Tour schedule:

Wales vs Australia at Millennium Stadium – November 6, 1.30am AEDT

Scotland vs Australia at Murrayfield – November 13, 1.30am AEDT

France vs Australia at Stade de France – November 20, 7.00am AEDT

Ireland vs Australia at Aviva Stadium – November 27, 4.30am AEDT

England vs Australia at Twickenham – December 4, 1.30am AEDT

Stay up to date with the latest sports news
Follow our social accounts to get exclusive content and all the latest sporting news!