Taniela Tupou, Allan Alaalatoa in running for Wallabies recall

The Wallabies’ hopes of ending their season on a high are set for a boost, with Taniela Tupou and Allan Alaalatoa expected to be recalled.

Taniela Tupou is expected to be recalled for Australia’s clash against Wales. Picture: AFP

The Wallabies’ hopes of ending their season on a high are set for a boost because Taniela Tupou and Allan Alaalatoa are expected to be recalled to face Wales at the Principality Stadium.

Tolu Latu, meanwhile, is expected to win a promotion to the No.2 jersey so he can add some extra on-ball presence following captain Michael Hooper’s injury.

Pete Samu will likely start in Hooper’s place, while Dave Rennie could also turn to Lachie Swinton to inject some fire into a side that has lost some confidence following back to back defeats.

Swinton has been patiently waiting for an opportunity over the past month after losing his place following his yellow card in the Wallabies’ second victory over the Springboks in Brisbane.

James O’Connor is expected to keep the No.10 jersey, while Kurt­ley Beale will play fullback in what shapes as a career-defining game in his endeavours to play at a fourth World Cup.

Rennie’s experienced tight-head props suffered head knocks during the 15-13 loss to Scotland and consequently sat out the deflating 32-15 defeat to England.

Their returns come at just the right moment because the Wallabies need a dose of confidence and pedigree against Six Nations champion Wales, which is looking for three straight wins over Australia for the first time since 1975.

While the Wallabies failed to take their chances during their late 9-6 loss in Cardiff in 2018, they lost a controversial, high-­octane World Cup pool match 29-25 in front of a packed crowd in Tokyo in 2019.

Much has changed since then. Warren Gatland has left his post after a decade in the position, while his Australian counterpart Michael Cheika has also gone.

Although Wales took time to get going under Wayne Pivac, Alun Wyn Jones’s side shocked everyone to win the Six Nations.

After losing narrowly to South Africa, Wales ran over the top of Fiji a week ago when its exciting backline secured a 38-23 win.

Wales, however, will be without talisman and captain Jones due to injury.

Prop Willgriff John and lock Will Rowlands are also unlikely to be available after suffering head knocks during the win over Fiji, while fellow front-rower Tomas Francis (concussion), back-rower Aaron Wainwright (shoulder) and outside back Josh Adams (calf) are under clouds.

The high number of head knocks comes at a time when World Rugby is desperate to take action on the game’s biggest issue.

“Over the last year, we have heard incredibly brave testimonies from former players who have come forward and talked about their struggles with dementia,” World Rugby boss Alan Gilpin said during an annual medical conference and ahead of his Wednesday announcement on “former player care”.

“They are part of the rugby family and we will always stand with them.

“Our sport is united around the same vision: to create a safer, more sustainable game, which future generations can enjoy.

“We know that rugby can change lives for the better: young and old, men and women, elite and amateur.

“Rugby improves fitness, mental health and overall wellbeing.”