Samu Kerevi and Izack Rodda return for Australia

Planet Rugby 03 Sep 2021 7:24 AM

Samu Kerevi and Izack Rodda will make their long-awaited return to the Wallabies side for the third Bledisloe Test against the All Blacks in Perth on Sunday.

Kerevi comes into the run-on side at inside centre for Hunter Paisami, who will miss the game due to the birth of his child.

Kerevi’s first Test since 2019

It will mark his first Test appearance since the 2019 Rugby World Cup, having spent the past two years in Japan plying his trade for Suntory.

Meanwhile, Rodda will come off the bench in place of Lukhan Salakaia-Loto in front of his new home crowd after signing with the Force for the 2022 Super Rugby Pacific season.

There is one change to the starting pack from the second Bledisloe Cup Test defeat, with hooker Folau Fainga’a set to play his first Test of 2021.

Brandon Paenga-Amosa (neck) was not considered due to injury, but head coach Dave Rennie admitted Fainga’a was set to start regardless as a result of his standout form in training.

On the bench, Lachlan Lonergan comes back into the side, joined by Brumbies team-mate Pete Samu and Reds back Jordan Petaia.

“It’s great to be able to call on the experience of Samu and Izack this weekend with Hunter and Lukhan leaving the group to be with their partners in what’s a really exciting time of their lives,” Rennie said in a statement.

“Both Samu and Izack have worked really hard since joining the group, been positive additions and have earned their opportunity to pull on the gold jersey on Sunday afternoon at Optus Stadium.

“The past three weeks in Perth have given us a chance to train hard on the field, refresh off it and connect with the local community.

“We are excited about the chance to be back on home soil and put in a performance that all of our supporters can be proud of.”

Australia: 15 Tom Banks, 14 Andrew Kellaway, 13 Len Ikitau, 12 Samu Kerevi, 11 Marika Koroibete, 10 Noah Lolesio, 9 Tate McDermott, 8 Rob Valetini, 7 Michael Hooper (c), 6 Lachlan Swinton, 5 Matt Philip, 4 Darcy Swain, 3 Allan Alaalatoa, 2 Folau Fainga’a, 1 James Slipper
Replacements: 16 Lachlan Lonergan, 17 Angus Bell, 18 Taniela Tupou, 19 Izack Rodda, 20 Pete Samu, 21 Nic White, 22 Reece Hodge, 23 Jordan Petaia

Date: Sunday, September 5
Venue: Optus Stadium, Perth
Kick-off: 14:00 local (07:00 BST, 06:00 GMT)
Referee: Damon Murphy (Australia)
Assistant Referees: Jordan Way (Australia), Graham Cooper (Australia)
TMO: Brett Cronan (Australia)