Veteran Wallabies prop Benn Robinson has been recalled to Australia’s squad for their two-match Rugby Championship tour of South Africa and Argentina.
Second-rower James Horwill has also been included in the 28-man squad and named as captain ahead of Ben Mowen after overcoming a slight hamstring strain.
Uncapped Queensland Reds pair Albert Anae and Chris Feuai-Sautia are the other new inclusions with Brumbies loosehead Scott Sio and flanker Liam Gill paying the price for the Wallabies’ 1-3 start to the tournament.
Overlooked by coach Ewen McKenzie at the start of the Rugby Championship, Robinson has been brought back to stabilise the shaky Wallabies scrum after impressing in Sydney club rugby for Eastwood.
McKenzie believes the nous and experience of the 59-cap Robinson plus the size and leadership of Horwill will help improve the crucial set-piece.
“The scrums have been inconsistent across all the Tests so far and we are now about to embark on a tough two-game road tour,” McKenzie said.
“We want to improve this area of our game and when you combine the Tests played between Ben and James we are bringing in another 99 games of experience up front.”
Like Robinson, Brumbies winger Joe Tomane is in line to play his first Test since the 2-1 series loss to the British and Irish Lions after serious injuries ruled out Jesse Mogg (shoulder reconstruction) and Nick Cummins (broken hand).
Teenager Feauai-Sautia can play wing or outside centre while Anae, who has been playing for Bay of Plenty in New Zealand’s ITM Cup, gives the Wallabies front-row flexibility as he plays both prop and hooker.
Wallabies tour squad: Forwards – James Slipper, Benn Robinson, Sekope Kepu, Ben Alexander, Stephen Moore, Saia Fainga’a, Albert Anae, James Horwill, Rob Simmons, Kane Douglas, Sitaleki Timani, Ben McCalman, Scott Fardy, Michael Hooper, Ben Mowen, Dave Dennis.
Backs – Nic White, Will Genia, Quade Cooper, Matt Toomua, Bernard Foley, Christian Lealiifano, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Tevita Kuridrani, Joe Tomane, Chris Feauai-Sautia, James O’Connor, Israel Folau.
