Wallabis coach Dave Renee has confirmed backline stars Quad Cooper, Samu Kerevi and Marika Coriobet as his three international wildcard picks to play in England.
Rugby Australia’s new qualification law allows Renee to pick three players from a foreign club and he has chosen a Japan-based trio to spice up his team’s attack.
Cooper and Kerevy are already undergoing medical check-ups ahead of the three-Test series in Sydney in July, where they are due to travel to Australia this weekend after a family holiday in Fiji.
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“It’s exciting. I’m not sure if you watched the final with Panasonic (Japan Rugby League One) but Marika was awesome,” Renee told reporters at Allianz Stadium on Thursday.
“She is OK. She is OK. We are excited to see her back.
“Marika is one of the best wings in the world. I’m not sure she has another winger with the principle of work and repetitiveness. She’s just been in top gear all day so we’re waiting to get her back.”
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Renee will announce his full squad on Sunday and Cooper and Kerevy will start at 10 and 12, respectively, against England.
“You look at Quade, he had a huge impact and a really calm effect, he was so impressive with the group,” Renee said of the Playmaker’s influence last year.
“I thought he was great with Noah (Lolesio) and even when Noah was playing and not in the quad, he would talk to her on the computer and talk a lot and his contribution to the meeting was great.
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“Samu has only played a few Tests but he was nominated for (World) Player of the Year which only highlights his impact.”
Renee also had the option of building his pack with European-based forwards like Will Skeleton, but he explained why Japan-based players fit easily in July.
“It’s a challenge for the boys from France, they go deeper into the season and it’s a long hell of a year,” Renee said.
“We brought in (Skeleton) last year and he’s a good fit. We’re not thinking about bringing him to the England series, but maybe after that.”
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