Fiji-born winger Henry Speight’s worth to Australian rugby has been highlighted by immediate inclusion in the Wallabies squad for the upcoming Rugby Championship.
Despite being unavailable for the opening half Australia’s campaign, including the first two Bledisloe Cup matches, Speight is one of two specialist wingers in the 32-man squad.
The in-form Brumbies flyer won’t be eligible to play for the Wallabies until September 11, which will end a frustrating 12-month wait to play Test rugby.
Showing how much coach Ewen McKenzie values Speight’s speed and tackle-busting ability, the 26-year-old has been included while injured halfback Will Genia has been left out.
Genia may well be available to return from ankle surgery in the September 6 clash against South Africa in Perth.
Genia’s Queensland Reds halves partner Quade Cooper is also out of the squad, continuing his rehabilitation from hip and shoulder operations.
There’s no surprises in McKenzie’s squad, captained by Michael Hooper and including 25 players who tasted action in the 3-0 series clean sweep of France in June.
Cult hero Nick Cummins is the only notable absentee, effectively replaced by Speight, due to his decision to sign a lucrative deal to play in Japan later this year.
Melbourne Rebels lock Luke Jones, who debuted in the second Test against Les Bleus, has also been dropped following impressive starting debuts by Sam Carter and Will Skelton.
Brumbies duo Ben Alexander and Joe Tomane have returned from injuries and are strongly in the mix to start in the Bledisloe opener at ANZ Stadium on August 16 when the All Blacks will strive for a world record 18 straight Test victories.
McKenzie said the familiarity of his squad, themselves on a seven-match streak, would be highly beneficial.
“We’ve come a long way as a group over the past 12 months and the consistency we’re now applying across selections, high-performance behaviours and our playing style is a positive sign that we are heading in the right direction,” he said.
The Wallabies assemble on August 3 for a week-long Bush2Bledisloe regional road trip across Dubbo, Orange, Bathurst and Penrith.
Wallabies squad: Forwards – Ben Alexander, Pek Cowan, James Slipper, Sekope Kepu, Scott Sio, Tatafu Polota-Nau, James Hanson, Nathan Charles, James Horwill, Rob Simmons, Will Skelton, Sam Carter, Scott Fardy, Scott Higginbotham, Michael Hooper (capt), Matt Hodgson, Wycliff Palu, Ben McCalman.
Backs – Nic White, Nick Phipps, Luke Burgess, Bernard Foley, Kurtley Beale, Matt Toomua, Christian Leali’ifano, Tevita Kuridrani, Rob Horne, Joe Tomane, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Henry Speight, Pat McCabe, Israel Folau.
