Full-back Israel Folau has been named in the wider Australia squad for the upcoming Rugby Championship encounter against South Africa.
The 29-year-old is a surprise inclusion after injuring his ankle against New Zealand in Sydney. Folau was expected to be out for a month and is only rated 50-50 for next weekend’s match but could now feature versus the Springboks.
He joins Taniela Tupou in the 31-man group, with the prop set to recover from a hamstring issue which kept him out of the Wallabies’ two Bledisloe Cup games.
“If Cheik wants me to start I will take that with both hands,” Tupou said. “It’s something I’ve been really looking forward to.
“I’ve been on the bench and I’ve been playing a few games but if Cheik wants me to start I’ll take that chance.”
Although further along his recovery than Folau, Tupou admits that he is still not quite at full fitness.
“I started running last week in New Zealand slowly but now I have started to go full speed. From what they have said I am doing really well.
“This week I’ve been comfortable and just need to do a few tests to see if I’m able to go 100 percent and be ready to play.”
Australia’s 31-man squad
Forwards: Allan Alaalatoa, Rory Arnold, Adam Coleman, Folau Fainga’a, Ned Hanigan, Michael Hooper (c), Sekope Kepu, Tolu Latu, Brandon Paenga-Amosa, David Pocock, Tatafu Polota-Nau, Tom Robertson, Izack Rodda, Pete Samu, Rob Simmons, Scott Sio, Caleb Timu, Lukhan Tui, Taniela Tupou
Backs: Tom Banks, Kurtley Beale, Israel Folau, Bernard Foley, Will Genia, Dane Haylett-Petty, Reece Hodge, Marika Koroibete, Jack Maddocks, Nick Phipps, Joe Powell, Matt Toomua