Six rookies in Wallabies training squad

Michael Cheika has recalled Tatafu Polota-Nau and brought in six rookies in a 36-man training squad ahead of Australia’s Bledisloe Cup and Rugby Championship opener against New Zealand.

Veteran hooker Polota-Nau missed the June series against Ireland, but he is back in the mix for the clash with the All Blacks on August 18.

And he could be joined by six new Wallabies after Cheika called up a series of uncapped players, including Reds teenager Jordan Petaia, who impressed in a trial.

The Rebels and the Brumbies provide the other five new faces, with Billy Meakes, Jack Maddocks and Jermaine Ainsley arriving from Melbourne.

Tom Banks, another standout performer in the trial, and Folau Faingaa join up from the Brumbies.

Captain Michael Hooper is included, despite the hamstring injury suffered against Ireland, but Test regulars Tevita Kuridrani and Samu Kerevi are not fit.

#BREAKING l Your #Wallabies train-on squad for Cessnock training camp ahead of #BledisloeCup.

READ: https://t.co/YEomF0xVzX

TICKETS: https://t.co/lJcS2Ksx1e#BledisloeCup #GoldBlooded pic.twitter.com/700ouou742

— Qantas Wallabies (@qantaswallabies) August 5, 2018

Australia squad in full:

Forwards: Jermaine Ainsley (Rebels), Allan Alaalatoa (Brumbies), Rory Arnold (Brumbies), Adam Coleman (Rebels), Folau Faingaa (Brumbies), Ned Hanigan (Waratahs), Michael Hooper (Waratahs), Sekope Kepu (Waratahs), Tolu Latu (Waratahs), Brandon Paenga-Amosa (Reds), David Pocock (Brumbies), Tatafu Polota-Nau (Leicester Tigers), Tom Robertson (Waratahs), Izack Rodda (Reds), Pete Samu (Brumbies), Rob Simmons (Waratahs), Scott Sio (Brumbies), Caleb Timu (Reds), Lukhan Tui (Reds), Taniela Tupou (Reds).

Backs: Tom Banks (Brumbies), Kurtley Beale (Waratahs), Israel Folau (Waratahs), Bernard Foley (Waratahs), Will Genia (Rebels), Dane Haylett-Petty (Rebels), Reece Hodge (Rebels), Marika Koroibete (Rebels), Jack Maddocks (Rebels), Billy Meakes (Rebels), Sefa Naivalu (Rebels), Jordan Petaia (Reds), Nick Phipps (Waratahs), Joe Powell (Brumbies), Curtis Rona (Waratahs), Matt Toomua (Leicester Tigers).

KEO.co.za News wire is powered by opta