Paiaaua makes shock return to Wallabies squad Rodda back in gold

Former Queensland playmaker Duncan Paia’aua has become the first player picked for the Wallabies under the new Giteau law amendments, in a 42-man Bledisloe Cup and Rugby Championship squad that also sees the return of Izack Rodda.

Paia’aua, who played for the Reds for five seasons before moving for Toulon in 2019, has been called up to the squad to add depth at no.10 and no.12 given injury issues in the Wallabies’ playmaking positions.

Duncan Paia’aua playing for the Reds in 2017.Credit:Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

The 26-year-old has only played once for the Wallabies - in 2017 against the Barbarians - meaning Rennie utilised the new Giteau Law dispensation allowing him to pick two players without the mandated 60 caps.

Bolstering a largely unchanged squad that defeated France in the recent series, Rennie has called back Rodda for the first time since the 25-Test lock acrimoniously departed for France in June last year. Rodda has since returned to play for the Western Force.

Elsewhere, Brumbies rookie lock Nick Frost earned his first call-up to an Australian squad, and Canberra teammate Pete Samu has returned after injury.

Force prop Tom Robertson has been called into his first Rennie squad but his WA teammate Sitaleki Timani has been omitted, along with Rebels backrower Michael Wells.

Returning from injuries, Jordan Petaia, Nic White and Scott Sio have also been included and are expected to be back in action for the first Bledisloe Cup clash in Auckland on August 7.

Izack Rodda has re-joined the Wallabies. Credit:Getty

Wallabies coach Dave Rennie said in a statement: “The connection this group is forming is growing every day and we’ve picked a squad of players here who are willing to work hard for each other.

“We know we’ve still got a way to go to get to where we want to be but that challenge is exciting and something we’re looking forward to.

“We have a great opportunity coming up in the Rugby Championship and Bledisloe Cup Tests to build on the momentum we picked up during a tough French Series.“

Wallabies squad for Bledisloe Cup and Rugby Championship

Allan Alaalatoa (46, Brumbies, 27)

Tom Banks (14, Brumbies, 27)

Angus Bell (6, NSW Waratahs, 20)

Pone Fa’amausili* (uncapped, Melbourne Rebels, 24)

Lalakai Foketi* (uncapped, NSW Waratahs, 26)

Nick Frost* (uncapped, Brumbies, 21)

Jake Gordon (8, NSW Waratahs, 28)

Reece Hodge (46, Melbourne Rebels, 26)

Michael Hooper (c) (108, NSW Waratahs, 29)

Len Ikitau (2, Brumbies, 22)

Feleti Kaitu’u* (uncapped, Western Force, 26)

Andrew Kellaway (2, Melbourne Rebels, 25)

Marika Koroibete (37, Melbourne Rebels, 28)

Rob Leota* (uncapped, Melbourne Rebels, 24)

Noah Lolesio (5, Brumbies, 21)

Lachlan Lonergan (2, Brumbies, 21)

Ryan Lonergan* (uncapped, Brumbies, 23)

Tate McDermott (5, Queensland Reds, 22)

Fraser McReight (1, Queensland Reds, 22)

Andy Muirhead* (uncapped, Brumbies, 29)

Isi Naisarani (11, Melbourne Rebels, 26)

James O’Connor (55, Queensland Reds, 31)

Brandon Paenga-Amosa (12, Queensland Reds, 25)

Duncan Paia’aua* (uncapped, Toulon, 26)

Hunter Paisami (9, Queensland Reds, 23)

Jordan Petaia (8, Queensland Reds, 21)

Matt Philip (12 Tests, Melbourne Rebels, 27)

Tom Robertson (24, Western Force, 26)

Izack Rodda (25, Western Force, 24)

Lukhan Salakaia-Loto (28, Queensland Reds, 24)

Pete Samu (10, Brumbies, 29)

Scott Sio (68, Brumbies, 29)

James Slipper (103, Brumbies, 32)

Darcy Swain (3, Brumbies, 24)

Lachlan Swinton (2, NSW Waratahs, 24)

Matt To’omua (57, Melbourne Rebels, 31)

Taniela Tupou (28, Queensland Reds, 25)

Jordan Uelese (13, Melbourne Rebels, 24)

Rob Valetini (7, Brumbies, 22)

Nic White (37, Brumbies, 31)

Harry Wilson (8, Queensland Reds, 21)

Tom Wright (5, Brumbies, 24)

*denotes uncapped

Iain Payten is Deputy Sports Editor of the Sydney Morning Herald.

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