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Veteran lock shocked by re-call into Wallabies camp after eight-year absence

(Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)

Western Force lock Sitaleki Timani says it was a big surprise to be brought back into the Wallabies frame, and he’s aiming to make the most of it.

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Timani played the last of his 18 tests in 2013 , with the 34-year-old leaving Super Rugby that year in order to play in France.

His seven-year adventure in France ended last month when he accepted a deal to join the Force as an injury replacement.

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The All Blacks share what they always eat before test matches

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The All Blacks share what they always eat before test matches

A series of impressive displays saw Timani rewarded with a call-up for the upcoming Wallabies camp on the Gold Coast.

“To be named in the Wallabies was a big surprise, and I’m looking forward to the challenge,” Timani said.

“We just came back for family reasons, to come back to Australia, and the Force gave me the opportunity.”

The Force’s finals hopes hang in the balance with just three rounds remaining.

The Perth-based franchise is in fourth spot, four points behind the Melbourne Rebels.

The two teams will lock horns in Melbourne this Friday night, before the Force round out their season with home games against the NSW Waratahs and Queensland Reds.

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The Force need to beat the Rebels and post at least one other win to have any chance of securing a finals berth.

Force fullback Jack McGregor knows there’s little margin for error.

“What we’ve spoken about is every week is a playoff game from now on,” McGregor said.

“We’ve got to treat it like that. Every game is a knockout game.

“It’s three weeks to stay in the competition, and all the boys are looking forward to the challenge.”

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The Rebels beat the Force 10-7 in Perth last month.

It continued a trend between the two teams, with the Force also losing two heartbreakers to the Rebels last year.

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AM 40 minutes ago
'Freelancer' Izaia Perese shows the need for true inclusivity in Australian rugby

That's Cron's job though. Australia has had one of the most penalised scrums in international rugby for a long time. Just look at the scrum win loss percentage and scrum penalties. That is your evidence. AA has been the starter during that period. Pretty simple analysis. That Australia has had a poor scrum for a long time is hardly news. If bell and thor are not on the field they are woeful. So you are just plain wrong. They have very little time for the lions so doing the same old things that dont work is not going to get them there.


Ainsley is better than our next best tighthead options and has been playing well at scrum time for Lyon in the most competitive comp in the world. Superstar player? No. But better than the next best options. So that is a good enough guide. The scrummaging in the Prem is pretty good too so there is Sio's proof. Same analysis for him. Certainly better in both cases than Super, where the brumbies had the worst win loss and scrum pen in Super. Who plays there? Ohh yes... And the level of scrummaging in Super is well below the URC, prem and France with the SA teams out.


Nongorr is truly woeful. He's 130kg and gets shoved about. That just should not be happening at that weight for a specialist prop who has always played rugby cf pone with leauge. He has had enough time to develop at 23. You'd be better off with Pone who is at least good around the field for the moment and sending Nongorr on exchange to France or England to see if they can improve him with better coaching as happened with Skelton and Meafou. He isn't going to develop in time in super if he has it at all.


Latu is a better scrummaging hooker than BPA and Nasser. and he's the best aussie player over the ball at ruck time. McReight's super jackling percentage hasnt converted to international level but latu consistently does it at heniken level, which is similar to test level in the big games. With good coaching at La Rochelle he's much improved though still has the odd shocker. He should start the November games.

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