Joe Schmidt’s struggling Wallabies have received a double shot in the arm in their squad to face the All Blacks in the final two rounds of the Rugby Championship.
Fraser McReight and Hunter Paisami returned from injury to make the Australia squad named Friday to play New Zealand as the Wallabies regroup following their record thrashing to Argentina.
Australia crashed to a 67-27 defeat away to Los Pumas in the Rugby Championship last weekend after a horror second-half display by the Wallabies, who threw away a 20-3 lead by conceding nine tries.
They sit bottom of the championship table as they prepare to face New Zealand in a double-header for the Bledisloe Cup, starting next weekend at home.
Australia’s only Rugby Championship victory was a last-gasp 20-19 win over Argentina at the end of August, following back-to-back home defeats to world champions South Africa.
“After getting a much-needed win in the first Test, then making a good start in the second Test, we had a very disappointing final 40 minutes in Argentina,” said head coach Joe Schmidt, who resisted making wholesale changes.
“The upcoming Bledisloe Test in Sydney offers a great opportunity to turn that poor finish around in front of what looks like being another big home crowd.”
Australia host New Zealand in Sydney on September 21 before travelling to face the All Blacks in Wellington a week later.
Flanker McReight returns to the 36-man squad after a hand injury, while centre Paisami has overcome a knee injury he suffered in the loss to South Africa in Perth.
Wing Corey Toole and inside centre David Feliuai are the only two uncapped players named.
Australia squad
Forwards: Allan Alaalatoa, Angus Bell, Josh Canham, Matt Faessler, Nick Frost, Langi Gleeson, Tom Hooper, Isaac Kailea, Fraser McReight, Josh Nasser, Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Tom Robertson, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, James Slipper, Carlo Tizzano, Taniela Tupou, Rob Valetini, Jeremy Williams, Harry Wilson
Backs: Ben Donaldson, David Feliuai, Josh Flook, Jake Gordon, Len Ikitau, Max Jorgensen, Andrew Kellaway, Marika Koroibete, Noah Lolesio, Tom Lynagh, Tate McDermott, Hunter Paisami, Dylan Pietsch, Hamish Stewart, Corey Toole, Nic White, Tom Wright
© Agence France-Presse
Photo: Jason McCawley/Getty Images
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