Michael Cheika has named 6 new caps and 2 English based players in his extended training squad for this year’s Rugby Championship.
Forwards Jermaine Ainsley and Folau Faingaa are joined by backs Tom Banks, Jack Maddocks, Billy Meakes and Jordon Patai in the squad.
Banks and Maddocks in particular have lit up Super Rugby on more than one occasion this season and will be looking to be retained at the end of the week for final squad selection.
Tatafu Polota-Nau and Matt Toomua have also been selected despite both playing for Leicester Tigers in England. Polota-Nau qualifies due to the ‘Giteau Law’ of having exceeded the amount of caps needed for exemption and Toomua has already signed for Melbourne Rebels next season which makes him eligible.
Australia kick off their campaign against New Zealand at the ANZ Stadium a week on Saturday which will also be the first match in the Bledisloe Cup series.
Australia Squad:
