Overseas Wallabies are set to be called in for Lions series
The Wallabies will announce their Lions squad just eight days before the first Test, and coach Joe Schmidt is calling in overseas based Aussies to join the stacked line-up.
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Will Skelton, Samu Kerevi, Marika Koroibete and James O’Connor are all in contention for the Wallabies squad against the British & Irish Lions series despite being based overseas.
Australia’s coach Joe Schmidt revealed that he’s been in contact with most of the overseas-based players in the frame for the Lions series, including backrower Pete Samu who is now in the mix after signing a deal to join NSW Waratahs in 2026 from French club Bordeaux.
There is no limit to the number of overseas-based players Schmidt can choose from for the iconic series, although only a handful are seriously being considered against a star-studded Lions squad coached by Andy Farrell.
“I spoke to Will on the weekend,” Schmidt said.
“We obviously used Will, Samu and Marika last year, I’ve spoken about James potentially, there’s other guys like Pete Samu who’s committed, I think, to coming back at some stage and even the guys who are going like Tom Hooper and Langi Gleeson, I do think we’ll see them back playing for the Wallabies at some stage so we don’t want to discount anyone.
“Because as Andy’s done, they’ve picked a form squad. We’d love to pick a form squad, but as I’ve always said, if there’s anything that we think is 50-50, it’s more difficult to absorb someone in from outside of the groups that play together already, it’s just not the same cohesion.
“But with Will, Samu and Marika, obviously they played last year, as did the likes of Tom Hooper and Langi Gleeson and even Rob Leota didn’t play last year but I had a number of catch-ups with Rob and he’s another player who’s got really good ability.
“And someone like Len Ikitau, he’s gone for a sabbatical, he’s committed to Rugby Australia beyond his time in Exeter so that’s a different equation again.
“I’ve been just messaging with Marika in recent times around his injury but he’s coming back and hopefully will be fully fit and then from there, being in the mix and then being in the squad are still two different things, you’re still going to have to make some decisions around a table.”
There will be a Wallabies squad named for the July 6 Test against Fiji soon after the final Australian team plays in Super Rugby. The official Wallabies squad for the Lions will be announced on July 11.
The 34-year-old O’Connor, playing for New Zealand’s Crusaders, was Australia’s five-eighth in the previous Lions series here, and will be considered for selection as a No.10, No.12 or No.15.
His versatility and experience could come into play as Australia’s frontline five-eighths have all shown mixed form this season.
Noah Lolesio was stretchered off last weekend in the Brumbies match against Western Force, although has been cleared of spinal injury and hopeful of returning in coming weeks.
Queensland’s Tom Lynagh also came off injured against NSW, while the Force’s Ben Donaldson’s claims have suffered amid three successive heavy losses by his team.
Meanwhile, injured Tahs winger Max Jorgensen has opened up on his hellish injury battles as he prepares to make his claim for a spot in the Wallabies squad following ankle syndesmosis.
“I look back at my first year, my first injury, doing my knee back in my first year, I had that mindset of, why is this me? Why did it happen to me? It’s 30 other guys on the field, why am I the one getting injured?” Jorgensen said.
“It’s not a good mindset to have, but everyone sort of has that when they first come in.
“Now, after having four or five pretty big injuries, I look at it now and it’s like, no, it’s not my fault. No one’s coming for me. It’s just what I sign up for.
“It’s part of the job. It is what it is. That sort of change of mindset has really helped me get through the rehabs.”
Jorgensen expects to be ready to return to the field in three weeks, and if NSW fail to make the Super Rugby finals he’s keen to return via club rugby with Randwick.
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Originally published as Overseas Wallabies are set to be called in for Lions series