Wallabies coach Dave Rennie has admitted that he has already spoken to a number of overseas players about returning ahead of the 2023 World Cup.
Rennie made the revelation on the Gold Coast during the 'Pacific Donor Drive', an initiative from Lifeblood to call on Maori and people of Pacifika heritage to donate blood.
Watch every minute of Super Rugby AU on Stan Sport. Start your Free Sport Trial Now
It comes as former Rebels and Suntory number eight Sean McMahon suggested that he would open to a recall to the national set-up.
“We’ve spoken to a number of former Wallabies plying their trade around the world and Sean is one of those,” Rennie confirmed. “I had a chat to him when I first got here and about three months ago.
“We’re keen to get those back and play Super Rugby to force their way into a World Cup side.
“Things haven’t really progressed since we spoke.”
The majority of his 40-man Wallabies squad from last week will be involved in the Super Rugby AU Final, with 27 players selected between the Queensland Reds and Brumbies.
Rennie believes that the packed-out Suncorp Stadium looms as the perfect stage for players to make a statement ahead of the impending series against France.
“We invited 40 people into camp so I think there’s about 27 (players) in these sides. They’ve been dominant, the best two sides in the competition,” he believes.
“They were two of the best games in a long period of time in Australian Rugby I reckon. It should be a doozy.
“There’s a lot of spots that are really competitive so there’s no better time to make a statement than in a Final.”
READ MORE:
TEAMS: JO(c), Brumbies lose Wallabies
NEXT-GEN: U20 squads announced
ON THE FENCE: Fainga'a twins dilemma
Both teams will enter the contest without a number of potential Wallabies, with the Reds (Paisami and Vunivalu) and the Brumbies (Samu and Slipper) missing key contributors due to injury.
Despite their exclusions, Rennie reaffirmed that they will continue to monitor their progress and their performances throughout the impending Trans-Tasman competition.
“There’s a handful of guys who have injuries who unfortunately won't take the park on the weekend but we’ve been watching those guys closely,” he added.
“We’re monitoring their recovery and hopefully they’ll get the opportunity to show their ways against the Kiwis side."
It’s a rematch of the 2020 Super Rugby AU decider as the Reds host the Brumbies on Saturday 8 May at Suncorp Stadium, kicking off at 7:45 pm AEST.Click here to purchase tickets to one of the most anticipated Rugby matches of the year.
