Tui joins Wallabies in Canberra

Mon, Sep 11, 2017, 2:40 AM
Beth Newman
by Beth Newman
Lukhan Tui ias back in the Wallabies squad. Photo: RUGBY.com.au/Stuart Walmsley
Lukhan Tui ias back in the Wallabies squad. Photo: RUGBY.com.au/Stuart Walmsley

Queensland lock Lukhan Tui is back in the Test mix, at the expense of veteran teammate Kane Douglas.

Douglas was a surprise selection in the Wallabies' Newcastle camp, after finding himself out of favour with the Reds in the Super Rugby season, overtaken by Tui and Izack Rodda in the matchday 23.

Wallabies coach Michael Cheika showed faith in Douglas to return to the form he enjoyed in the 2015 Rugby World Cup, but the second rower hasn't been able to challenge for a Test selection.

Tui was part of the Wallabies squad in June, before a knee injury ruled him out of the initial Rugby Championship squad.

Wallabies lock Rory Arnold told media in Canberra this morning he had been impressed with Tui's return to rugby, having put in two terrific shifts for Brisbane City in the NRC.Lukhan Tui has been impressive in two starts for Brisbane City this season. Photo: Getty Images"Lukhan had a great year, he's had a great year with the Reds and I've done a bit of work with him in June, when he was brought into the squad," Arnold said.

"It's good to see him being called back into the squad by Cheik and he's strung a couple of good games together in the NRC.

"I'm looking forward to seeing what he has got at training and I'm sure he will be pushing for selection."

Arnold believes Tui, along with fellow Queensland young gun Izack Rodda, have what it takes to push for regular minutes in the Wallabies fold.

Arnold isn't the most experienced player in Cheika's squad but he, along with Adam Coleman and Rob Simmons, have a responsibility to lead the exciting rookies.

"I'll give them a little bit of advice where I do feel comfortable doing that," he said.Rob Simmons is one of the more experienced heads in Wallabies camp. Photo: RUGBY.com.au/Stuart Walmsley"But we have Simmo as well there, he has played a lot of Tests and he has been around so he will be giving the boys some messages as well.

"Two or three years ago that second row spot, we didn't have much depth coming through so when you look at it now, we have so many guys coming through and I'm looking over my shoulder with young bucks pushing for selection."

Douglas will return to Queensland to play for City in the NRC, as he looks for match fitness.

Former skipper Stephen Moore is also back in camp after the birth of his third child, with Tolu Latu dropping out of the group.

The Wallabies take on Argentina on Saturday September 16, kicking off at 8pm AEST LIVE on FOX SPORTS, Network Ten, Win and via RUGBY.com.au RADIO.

SQUAD

Wallabies squad for Argentina

IN: Stephen Moore, Lukhan Tui

OUT: Tolu Latu, Kane Douglas, Dane Haylett-Petty (biceps)

Forwards

Allan Alaalatoa, 15 Tests, Brumbies

Rory Arnold, 15 Tests, Brumbies

Adam Coleman, 14 Tests, Western Force

Jack Dempsey, 2 Tests, NSW Waratahs

Tetera Faulkner, 2 Tests, Western Force

Ned Hanigan, 6 Tests, NSW Waratahs

Michael Hooper (c), 71 Tests, NSW Waratahs

Sekope Kepu, 83 Tests, NSW Waratahs

Adam Korczyk*, Queensland Reds

Sean McMahon, 18 Tests, Melbourne Rebels

Stephen Moore, 122 Tests, Queensland Reds

Tatafu Polota-Nau, 74 Tests, Western Force

Tom Robertson, 12 Tests, NSW Waratahs

Izack Rodda, 1 Test, Queensland Reds

Rob Simmons, 74 Tests, Queensland Reds

Scott Sio, 35 Tests, Brumbies

Lopeti Timani, 9 Tests, Melbourne Rebels

Lukhan Tui*, Queensland Reds

Jordan Uelese, 1 Test, Melbourne Rebels

Backs

Kurtley Beale, 63 Tests, NSW Waratahs

Israel Folau, 58 Tests, NSW Waratahs

Bernard Foley (vc), 48 Tests, NSW Waratahs

Will Genia (vc), 81 Tests, Melbourne Rebels

Reece Hodge, 16 Tests, Melbourne Rebels

Samu Kerevi, 10 Tests, Queensland Reds

Marika Koroibete*, Melbourne Rebels

Tevita Kuridrani, 50 Tests, Brumbies

Billy Meakes*, Western Force

Izaia Perese*, Queensland Reds

Nick Phipps, 54 Tests, NSW Waratahs

Joe Powell, 2 Tests, Brumbies

Curtis Rona, 2 Tests, Western Force

Henry Speight, 15 Tests, Brumbies

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