Wallabies coach Dave Rennie hopes to add a fourth overseas-based Aussie player to his squad

The “Giteau Law” could be further revamped to allow Wallabies coach Dave Rennie to bring more overseas-based Australian players into his squad.

Wallabies coach Dave Rennie wants a further revamp to the “Giteau Law” to allow a fourth overseas-based Australian player added to his squad during the Rugby Championship.

With Japan-based Samu Kerevi unavailable for the Wallabies’ two-Test tour of Argentina next month after being named in Australia’s Commonwealth Games Rugby Sevens team, lock Rory Arnold – who plays his club rugby in France – has been brought into the Wallabies’ 36-man squad.

Arnold joins winger Marika Koroibete and fly half Quade Cooper, who both ply their club trade in Japan, as the three permitted overseas-based players in Australia’s squad under the current “Giteau Law”.

Those three players must have played 30 Tests and given five years of service to Australian rugby before signing their contracts with overseas clubs.

However, with star centre Kerevi a certainty to return for the Wallabies’ remaining four Rugby Championship Tests – two each against South Africa and New Zealand – Rennie wants the chance to name four overseas players in Australia’s squad.

🦘 Vamos! Your 36-man squad to tour 🇦🇷

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— Wallabies (@wallabies) July 21, 2022

“That discussion is for post-Argentina … we’ll assess that once we get back,” said Rennie, who suggested Arnold would be needed for the entire tournament and beyond.

“From a second-row point of view, we’ve lost a number of guys (through injuries).

“Izack (Rodda) has gone for an extended period, Cadeyrn Neville’s now gone for an extended period, and the guy who we brought in to give us a bit of cover there, Ned Hanigan, went under the knife last week, so we’re a little bit thin in the second-row.

“We’re probably one injury away from a fair bit of pressure there, so we’ve brought Rory in because we can with Samu being out.

“Then we need go back to the (Rugby Australia) board and have a chat around where things are at.

“Maybe there’s only three available anyway when it comes to the rest of the (Rugby) Championship.”

Rennie selected four uncapped players – Reds utility back Jock Campbell, Rebels pair Matt Gibbon and Pone Fa’amausili, and Waratahs forward Jed Holloway – in the squad to tour Argentina.

Campbell and Gibbon, as well as Waratahs centre Lalakai Foketi and Reds flanker Fraser McReight, are in the squad on the back of good form for Australia A in the Pacific Nations Cup.

“To be able to pick guys who have performed well in the Australia A program against quality international opposition is a massive positive and we’re looking forward to welcoming them to the mob next week,” Rennie said.

“We’re well aware of how tough the challenge is of playing Argentina two weeks in a row on their home soil.

“We’re putting out a team to win. We’re not looking to give away Test caps, but there is still really good competition for places.”

Wallabies squad to tour Argentina: Allan Alaalatoa, Rory Arnold, Jock Campbell, Quade Cooper, Pone Fa’amausili, Folau Fainga’a, Nick Frost, Matt Gibbon, Jake Gordon, Reece Hodge, Michael Hooper (c), Jed Holloway, Len Ikitau, Marika Koroibete, Rob Leota, Noah Lolesio, Lachlan Lonergan, Tate McDermott, Fraser McReight, James O’Connor, Hunter Paisami, Jordan Petaia, Matt Philip, David Porecki, Pete Samu, Irae Simone, Scott Sio, James Slipper, Darcy Swain, Taniela Tupou, Rob Valetini, Suliasi Vunivalu, Nic White, Harry Wilson, Tom Wright.

Wallabies’ Rugby Championship schedule (all times AEST) –

August 7 – v Argentina, 5.10am at Estadio Malvinas, Mendoza

August 13 – v Argentina, 5.10am at Estadio del Bicentenario, San Juan

August 27 – v South Africa, 3.30pm at Adelaide Oval

September 3 – v South Africa, 7.30pm at Allianz Stadium, Sydney

September 15 – v New Zealand, 7.45pm at Marvel Stadium, Melbourne

September 24 – v New Zealand, 5:05pm at Eden Park, Auckland