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Lukhan Tui omitted from Wallabies squad
Loose forward Lukhan Tui has officially been withdrawn from the Wallabies squad to face South Africa and Argentina in the remaining rounds of the Rugby Championship.
The 22-year-old had told teammates he would be unavailable for the remained of the year after their 23-19 home loss to Argentina last weekend.
The match came just days after the death of Tui’s stepfather, and the back-rower was later involved in an post-match altercation with a fan in the stands.
Uncapped loose forward Angus Cottrell has been called into the Wallabies’ 30-man squad for their remaining clashes. Fellow Wallabies rookie Jake Gordon has also been called into the squad.
The back row will also miss Pete Samu who has been ruled out after suffering a knee injury in the Argentina match. The timeline for Samu’s return is four weeks.
“There’s an opportunity presented to us now to get some good victories overseas and that’s going to come from consistency in the way that we play,” coach Michael Cheika said in a statement.
“We have got some new additions to the squad and these guys have shown plenty of grit and determination to get an opportunity at a higher level so now we’re looking for them to add that to the mix.
“We’re very determined to make sure that we repay the faith and show people what we’re about in the way we play.”
WALLABIES
Forwards: Allan Alaalatoa, Rory Arnold, Adam Coleman, Angus Cottrell, Folau Faingaa, Ned Hanigan, Michael Hooper (captain), Sekope Kepu, Brandon Paenga-Amosa, David Pocock, Tatafu Polota-Nau, Tom Robertson, Izack Rodda, Rob Simmons, Scott Sio, Caleb Timu, Taniela Tupou.
Backs: Tom Banks, Kurtley Beale, Israel Folau, Bernard Foley, Will Genia, Jake Gordon*, Dane Haylett-Petty, Reece Hodge, Marika Koroibete, Jack Maddocks, Sefa Naivalu, Nick Phipps, Matt Toomua.
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