NRL convert Suliasi Vunivalu will have to wait until at least 2021 to make his Wallabies debut after the Queensland Reds recruit was one of four squad members given an early mark by Dave Rennie ahead of their final Test of the year on November 5 at Bankwest Stadium.
Vunivalu, who last month helped the Melbourne Storm to another NRL premiership, was rushed into the Wallabies squad earlier this month to speed up his rugby development.
Rennie said that the tryscoring machine was always unlikely to make his debut this year but saw the benefit of upskilling him ahead of his arrival at the Reds.
BE THERE FOR THE PENULTIMATE TRI NATIONS TEST AS THE ALL BLACKS TAKE ON LOS PUMAS IN NEWCASTLE ON NOV.28. TICKETS HERE
The other members to leave the squad are Brumbies lock Caderyn Neville, Rebels back-rower Isi Naisarani and Jermaine Ainsley, who will fly to New Zealand after signing with the Highlanders.
Ainsley had been praised by Rennie in recent weeks and his departure is a blow for the depth in the front-row stocks, particularly at the Rebels.
Even though he wasn't included in Rennie's initial squad, Naisarani's departure is somewhat surprising given the lack of impact from the Wallabies' replacement back-rowers.
Right throughout the Bledisloe Cup and Tri Nations Rennie had tinkered with his back-row, particularly at blindside flanker and on the bench.
Pete Samu, Rob Valetini, Liam Wright, Ned Hanigan and Lachie Swinton have each been given cracks in either the No.6 jersey or off the bench, but only the latter two have made strong impressions.
READ MORE
'A LOSING DRAW': Wallabies filthy at 'not learning from Wellington' draw
'WE GOT BORED': Rennie rues the one that got away
'LET THE COUNTRY DOWN': Hodge heartbreak as Wallabies draw with Pumas in Newcastle
What changes Rennie makes to his side for their final Test against the Pumas could be determined by this weekend's penultimate Tri Nations Test.
All three Test nations are on six points but the Pumas have the benefit of having a game in-hand.
That said, it's expected that the All Blacks will respond with vengeance on Saturday against the Pumas after back to back defeats for the first time in almost a decade and a bonus-point to Ian Foster's men would all but seal the Tri Nations tournament.
Both the Wallabies and Pumas could still mathematically leap ahead, but on the back of the All Blacks' 43-5 win over Rennie's men in the first match of the Tri Nations in Sydney it's extremely unlikely either will have enough strike power to rack up a cricket score.
If the Pumas, however, manage to pull off another miracle or deny the All Blacks a bonus point, Rennie could go for broke in the final match and roll out his most lethal side.
🏃♂️💨 Razzle dazzle#ARGvAUS #TriNations @eToro pic.twitter.com/fl5lUYwWOg
— RUGBYcomau (@rugbycomau) November 23, 2020
That could spell bad news for Reece Hodge at fly-half, who has been more than serviceable, but it's likely James O'Connor (if he's fit) or Noah Lolesio would offer some more flair in the No.10 jersey.
Rennie could also be tempted to recall halfback Tate McDermott, who is by far the best running No.9 in Australian rugby.
Despite not playing this weekend, Rennie has opted not to give his side a few days off to recover from the 15-15 draw on Saturday.
They will spend the final fortnight preparing in Sydney ahead of the December 5 Test.
