Wallabies coach Les Kiss has praised the potential impact of veteran flyhalves James O’Connor and Bernard Foley, but called for them to play Super Rugby games before they will be considered for selection after elevating 22-year-old five eighth Harry McLaughlin-Phillips for the clash against South Africa in Perth in two weeks. Ben Donaldson and Declan Meredith have retained their places in the squad following the series victory in Argentina, but the broken leg suffered by Carter Gordon created a place at No 10. Western Force’s McLaughlin-Phillips beat the likes of fit-again Tom Lynagh and Japan-based Noah Lolesio for the spot, given 37-year-old Foley and 36-year-old O’Connor have only recently signed deals to return to Super Rugby clubs next season.
I think the experience that we do have in [Foley and O’Connor], we’d like to see them play some games, and they’ll get plenty of opportunity,” Kiss said. McLaughlin-Phillips matched up against Lynagh in Super Rugby Aus on the weekend, in the latter’s return to action following a year beset by injuries. The Force came back to win 29-28 after Lynagh was substituted at half-time, as he works his way back to fitness.
I know Harry well, he also knows a lot of the nuances of the game that I do like, so I think he’s earned that right to be selected into the squad.” Donaldson, at 27 and with 25 caps, will be the most experienced option at No 10 for the squad set to face the world champion Springboks. Meredith has played just three tests. And we know that we can always, always lean back into the experience if we need to.” McLaughlin-Phillips is one of three new faces in the squad that secured Australia a series win in Argentina for the first time.
Prop Zane Nonggorr has recovered from a calf injury and will replace Massimo de Lutiis, and outside back Jordan Petaia – who could play his first match for the Wallabies in three years – is in for Filipo Daugunu. Petaia, once seen as rugby’s brightest talent and still just 26, has returned to rugby after pursuing a career in American football, and he has been playing for Urayasu D-Rocks in Japan.
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