Fiji-born injured centre Samu Kerevi has been named in the Wallabies 44-player training squad ahead of next week’s four-week camp in Gold Coast.
Head coach Dave Rennie has included a host of injured stars headlined by Kerevi and Quade Cooper.
Kerevi and Cooper picked up season-ending injuries during the Rugby Championship as they look to return towards the end of the Japan Rugby League One season.
Along with this, the likes of Taniela Tupou, Matt Philip, Rob Leota, Izaia Perese and Angus Bell have been named as they continue their rehab from long-term injuries suffered during the International season.
Two other Fijian players named in the squad are Brumbies loose forward Rob Valetini and NSW rising star Mark Nawaqanitawase, who shares links to Fiji.
Force lock Izack Rodda has also been selected after missing the entirety of the 2022 Test calendar due to a foot injury along with returning Waratah Kurtley Beale.
Rennie has also included New South Wales Waratahs back-rower Charlie Gamble as the major inclusion in the squad.
The New Zealand-born Gamble will be eligible to represent Australia from April, emerging on selectors’ radars after a breakout 2022 campaign with the Waratahs.
It continues his meteoric rise, picked up from suburban Rugby club Petersham before earning his Super Rugby debut in 2021.
He is joined by Brumbies scrum-half Ryan Lonergan, who captained the Australia A in 2022, both players are uncapped.
The squad remains relatively settled from the Spring Tour, with the likes of Bernard Foley, Tom Banks and Will Skelton staying with their clubs overseas.
Wallabies January training squad
Props-Allan Alaalatoa, Angus Bell, Matt Gibbon, Tom Robertson, James Slipper, Sam Talakai, Taniela Tupou
Hookers-Folau Fainga’a, Lachlan Lonergan, David Porecki
Locks-Nick Frost, Cadeyrn Neville, Matt Philip, Izack Rodda, Darcy Swain
Loose Forwards-Charlie Gamble, Langi Gleeson, Ned Hanigan, Jed Holloway, Michael Hooper, Rob Leota, Fraser McReight, Pete Samu, Rob Valetini, Harry Wilson
Scrumhalves-Jake Gordon, Ryan Lonergan, Tate McDermott, Nic White
Flyhalves-Quade Cooper, Ben Donaldson, Noah Lolesio
Centres-Lalakai Foketi, Len Ikitau, Hunter Paisami, Izaia Perese, Samu Kerevi
Outside Backs-Kurtley Beale, Jock Campbell, Reece Hodge, Andrew Kellaway, Mark Nawaqanitawase, Jordan Petaia, Tom Wright
