Wallabies call up trio for USA clash

Editor

Wing Taqele Naiyaravoro, lock Sam Carter and hooker James Hanson have been called up to the Wallabies squad for Saturday's Test against the USA in Chicago.

Hanson and Carter will link with the squad in Indiana following solid performances during the opening rounds of the Australia's National Rugby Championship, while Naiyaravoro arrived at the team's camp at Notre Dame University from London on Monday after playing in the Barbarians' 27-24 win over Samoa.

All three players were involved in last week’s camp in Sydney as part of the wider Wallabies training squad and will continue to play a role in the team's preparation for the USA match.

“There is a specific role for these players heading over here to the US, which will assist our preparations for this Saturday's match and the Rugby World Cup,” said Wallabies coach Michael Cheika.

“It’s crucial we continue to improve as a collective and having Taqele, Sam and James here in the US allows them to stay connected to the group, and will help us throughout our preparation and training."

Naiyaravoro and Hanson have been involved with the Wallabies squad since the opening training camp on the Sunshine Coast in July, while Brumbies lock Carter has impressed in his return from a serious knee injury.

“We’ve been watching Taqele with great interest throughout The Rugby Championship and during his World XV and Barbarians matches,” added Cheika.

“Sam has been very impressive at training since returning from injury and a standout during his NRC matches in recent weeks. Both he and James are arriving late to this camp as we wanted both players to fulfil their commitments to their respective NRC clubs on the weekend."

The historic Test against the USA Eagles will be Australia's first in the USA in almost 40 years and just the fourth match the Wallabies have played on US soil.