Wallabies coach Dave Rennie has confirmed that Quade Cooper, Samu Kerevi and Marika Koroibete will be his international selections for next month’s home series against England.
Rennie will name his full 35-player team on Sunday before the first test in Perth on July 2. But he has contacted the Japan-based trio under the reworked Giteau Act that allows three overseas-based players for any series.
“It’s probably not that secret anyway, but we have Quade, Samu and Marika coming back,” Rennie said in the announcement that the Wallabies will face South Africa on September 3 at the refurbished Sydney football stadium.
“Quade and Samu are here in Sydney just doing medical check-ups and Marika went straight to Fiji to spend some time with her family and will be back for the weekend.”
The Koroibete winger became a dominant display and scored a try when his Japanese team Saitama Panasonic Wild Knights won the League One title last week. The Kerevi center was a highlight for Suntory Sungoliath, who lost in the final.
“Marika was great, so she hasn’t lost any of her physique or work ethic, so we’re excited to see her again,” Rennie said.
“Marika is one of the best in the world; I’m not sure there is another end to her work ethic and repeatability. She’s the best team all day, so we’re looking forward to that.
“Samu only played a couple of tests, but was nominated [World Rugby] Player of the Year [in 2021] which only shows the impact it had ”.
The fifth-eighth Cooper helped his team Hanazono Kintetsu Liners get promoted to the top division, while Rennie was impressed with the way he mentored young game creator Noah Lolesio during the rugby championship of the last year.
“Look Quade, he had a massive impact and a very reassuring influence, he was so impressive with the group,” he said.
“I thought it was great with Noah [Lolesio] and even when Noah was playing and Quade wasn’t, he sat at the computer with him and talked about a lot of things and his contribution to the meetings was fantastic. “
Rennie said he could look beyond other overseas players outside of that trio after the England series, with upcoming Test games against Argentina, the All Blacks and the Springboks. in the rugby league.
That included La Rochelle’s giant lock Will Skelton, who was called up for last year’s spring tour.
“We took him last year and he fit in well. We’re not looking to take him to the England series, but maybe after that, ”he said.
Meanwhile, first-team team Taniela Tupou is doing well to play against England after a serious calf injury.
“He [Tupou] it has gone down a bit in size, working very hard. He’s in a really good, very cool place, “Rennie said.” We were a little anxious three weeks ago, but we’re pretty sure we’ll take him there for the first test. “