Rodda, Paia'aua called up to Wallabies squad for Bledisloe Cup, Rugby Championship

Sun, Jul 25, 2021, 1:14 AM
Nathan Williamson
by Nathan Williamson
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New Western Force recruit Izack Rodda and Toulon back Duncan Paia'aua have been called up into the Wallabies squad for the Bledisloe Cup and The Rugby Championship.

Rodda makes his return to Australian rugby after returning from French side Lyon, following his departure from the Reds in 2020.

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Meanwhile, Paia'aua becomes the first player to be selected under the amended 'Giteau's Law', which allows players outside of the 60 cap limit to be selected with other players unavailable to join the group in Queensland and overseas due to current border restrictions.

They are joined in the 42 man squad by Rodda's Force teammate Tom Robertson and Brumbies lock Nick Frost.

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Meanwhile, Brumbies duo Nic White (knee) and Scott Sio (hamstring) along with Jordan Petaia (quad) have overcome injuries to earn a recall to the squad.

The 42-man squad contains eight uncapped players, with four others making their debuts in the 2-1 series win over France this month.

The group will assemble at Sanctuary Cove on the Gold Coast today as they prepare for the first Bledisloe Cup Test in Auckland on August 7.

"The connection this group is forming is growing every day and we’ve picked a squad of players here who are willing to work hard for each other," coach Dave Rennie said in a statement.

“We know we’ve still got a way to go to get to where we want to be but that challenge is exciting and something we’re looking forward to.

“We have a great opportunity coming up in the Rugby Championship and Bledisloe Cup Tests to build on the momentum we picked up during a tough French Series.”

WALLABIES SQUAD FOR THE BLEDISLOE CUP AND THE RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP

Allan Alaalatoa (46, Brumbies, 27)

Tom Banks (14, Brumbies, 27)

Angus Bell (6, NSW Waratahs, 20)

Pone Fa’amausili* (uncapped, Melbourne Rebels, 24)

Lalakai Foketi* (uncapped, NSW Waratahs, 26)

Nick Frost* (uncapped, Brumbies, 21)

Jake Gordon (8, NSW Waratahs, 28)

Reece Hodge (46, Melbourne Rebels, 26)

Michael Hooper (c) (108, NSW Waratahs, 29)

Len Ikitau (2, Brumbies, 22)

Feleti Kaitu’u* (uncapped, Western Force, 26)

Andrew Kellaway (2, Melbourne Rebels, 25)

Marika Koroibete (37, Melbourne Rebels, 28)

Rob Leota* (uncapped, Melbourne Rebels, 24)

Noah Lolesio (5, Brumbies, 21)

Lachlan Lonergan (2, Brumbies, 21)

Ryan Lonergan* (uncapped, Brumbies, 23)

Tate McDermott (5, Queensland Reds, 22)

Fraser McReight (1, Queensland Reds, 22)

Andy Muirhead* (uncapped, Brumbies, 29)

Isi Naisarani (11, Melbourne Rebels, 26)

James O’Connor (55, Queensland Reds, 31)

Brandon Paenga-Amosa (12, Queensland Reds, 25)

Duncan Paia’aua* (uncapped, Toulon, 26)

Hunter Paisami (9, Queensland Reds, 23)

Jordan Petaia (8, Queensland Reds, 21)

Matt Philip (12 Tests, Melbourne Rebels, 27)

Tom Robertson (24, Western Force, 26)

Izack Rodda (25, Western Force, 24)

Lukhan Salakaia-Loto (28, Queensland Reds, 24)

Pete Samu (10, Brumbies, 29)

Scott Sio (68, Brumbies, 29)

James Slipper (103, Brumbies, 32)

Darcy Swain (3, Brumbies, 24)

Lachlan Swinton (2, NSW Waratahs, 24)

Matt To’omua (57, Melbourne Rebels, 31)

Taniela Tupou (28, Queensland Reds, 25)

Jordan Uelese (13, Melbourne Rebels, 24)

Rob Valetini (7, Brumbies, 22)

Nic White (37, Brumbies, 31)

Harry Wilson (8, Queensland Reds, 21)

Tom Wright (5, Brumbies, 24)

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