22 Sep 2016

Two newcomers to Wallabies squad

4:24 pm on 22 September 2016

Winger Sefa Naivalu and hooker Tolu Latu are poised to debut for the Wallabies after being included in the 30-man tour squad for the Rugby Championship clashes against South Africa and Argentina.

Rebels winger Sefa Naivalu.

Rebels winger Sefa Naivalu. Photo: PHOTOSPORT

Fiji-born Rebels speedster Naivalu has been involved in several training camps this year but finally became eligible to represent Australia on Monday, while Waratahs hooker Latu could also make his first international appearance, with veteran Tatafu Polota-Nau rested to overcome a forearm injury.

Veteran winger Drew Mitchell, lock Will Skelton and back-rower Ben McCalman have all been left out due to a lack of recent match fitness.

Mitchell will return to his French club Toulon, leaving Genia as the last remaining European-based Wallaby.

Matt Toomua misses out too as he continues to follow concussion protocols following his head knock against the All Blacks in Sydney last month.

The only other addition is Nick Frisby, who joins Nick Phipps as back-up to in- form halfback Genia.

McCalman's exclusion means the race to replace the injured David Pocock at No.8 is essentially down to two - Sean McMahon, who came on for Pocock when he broke his hand during the 36-20 win over the Pumas in Perth last weekend and has previously deputised in that position, or Lopeti Timani, who made his Test debut off the bench in that match.

Allan Alaalatoa is also in the mix after overcoming a medial ligament strain he suffered in Brisbane.

The Wallabies take on the Springboks in Pretoria on October 1, then Argentina at London's Twickenham Stadium a week later.

New Zealand has won the Rugby Championship already with 20 points, while Australia has 9, South Africa 6 and Argentina 5.

Wallabies: Allan Alaalatoa, Rory Arnold, Adam Coleman, Quade Cooper, Kane Douglas, Scott Fardy, Israel Folau, Bernard Foley, Nick Frisby, Will Genia, James Hanson, Dane Haylett-Petty, Reece Hodge, Michael Hooper, Sekope Kepu, Samu Kerevi, Tevita Kuridrani, Tolu Latu, Sean McMahon, Stephen Moore (capt), Luke Morahan, Dean Mumm, Sefania Naivalu, Nick Phipps, Tom Robertson, Rob Simmons, Scott Sio, James Slipper, Henry Speight, Lopeti Timani.

-AAP