Kurtley Beale is in contention to play in the Bledisloe Cup games against New Zealand after being named in the 36-man squad by Wallabies coach Dave Rennie.
It is Beale’s first call up since the 2021 Spring Tour, having overcome a a significant hamstring injury sustained in France earlier this year.
Cadeyrn Neville is the only other new inclusion from the group that split a two-Test series with South Africa. Rennie named 35 squad members for that series.
The Brumbies lock has recovered from a knee injury sustained in the side’s second Test against England in July and will replace Japan-bound Rory Arnold who is unavailable for the matches due to the impending birth of his first child.
Queensland Reds fullback Jock Campbell and NSW Waratahs backrower Langi Gleeson are the only two uncapped players in the group.
The first Test will be held at Marvel Stadium in Melbourne next Thursday, the first Bledisloe Cup match in Victoria since 2010, before a return clash at Auckland’s Eden Park on September 24.
The side will assemble on Friday and is placed second on the Rugby Championship ladder with just two rounds remaining. The team for game one should be named on Tuesday with Hunter Paisami and Noah Lolesio still in doubt after their concussions against South Africa in Sydney.
Wallabies coach Dave Rennie said in a statement: “It’s great to be able to keep the core of our group together and welcome Cadeyrn back to the mob, while we wish Rory all the best for what’s an incredibly exciting time for him and his family.”
“Kurtley is a welcome return to the squad after recovering from a long-term injury and will bring his passion for the jersey along with his wealth of experience at Test level.
“We know how important these next two Tests are with silverware on the line and we’ll be expecting a response after the disappointment of last weekend’s loss.”
Lock Rory Arnold was not considered after being allowed to join his pregnant wife and establish himself in Japan where he has moved to from European rugby.
Wallabies squad for South Africa Tests (age, team, Tests played)
Allan Alaalatoa (28, ACT Brumbies, 58 Tests)
Kurtley Beale (31, NSW Waratahs, 95 Tests)
Angus Bell (21, NSW Waratahs, 19 Tests)
Jock Campbell (27, Queensland Reds, uncapped)
Pone Fa’amausili (25, Melbourne Rebels, 1 Test)
Folau Fainga’a (27, ACT Brumbies, 31 Tests)
Lalakai Foketi (27, NSW Waratahs, 2 Tests)
Bernard Foley (32, Kubota Spears, 71 Tests)
Nick Frost (22, ACT Brumbies, 4 Tests)
Langi Gleeson (21, NSW Waratahs, uncapped)
Jake Gordon (29, NSW Waratahs, 14 Tests)
Reece Hodge (28, Melbourne Rebels, 59 Tests)
Jed Holloway (29, NSW Waratahs, 4 Tests)
Len Ikitau (23, ACT Brumbies, 19 Tests)
Andrew Kellaway (26, Melbourne Rebels, 16 Tests)
Marika Koroibete (30, Saitama Wild Knights, 49 Tests)
Rob Leota (25, Melbourne Rebels, 12 Tests)
Noah Lolesio (22, ACT Brumbies, 14 Tests)
Lachlan Lonergan (22, ACT Brumbies, 6 Tests)
Tate McDermott (23, Queensland Reds, 18 Tests)
Fraser McReight (23, Queensland Reds, 6 Tests)
Cadeyrn Neville (33, ACT Brumbies, 2 Tests)
Hunter Paisami (24, Queensland Reds, 20 Tests)
Jordan Petaia (22, Queensland Reds, 20 Tests)
Matt Philip (28, Melbourne Rebels, 26 Tests)
David Porecki (29, NSW Waratahs, 5 Tests)
Pete Samu (30, ACT Brumbies, 26 Tests)
Scott Sio (30, ACT Brumbies, 73 Tests)
James Slipper (33, ACT Brumbies, 121 Tests)
Darcy Swain (25, ACT Brumbies, 15 Tests)
Taniela Tupou (26, Queensland Reds, 43 Tests)
Rob Valetini (24, ACT Brumbies, 25 Tests)
Suliasi Vunivalu (26, Queensland Reds, 1 Test)
Nic White (32, ACT Brumbies, 54 Tests)
Harry Wilson (22, Queensland Reds, 11 Tests)
Tom Wright (25, ACT Brumbies, 16 Tests)
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