Wallabies winger Andrew Keraway was released to NSW Waratah, but the Brumbies Flyer Corey Tool was also given a green light to face the British and Irish Lions in his Super Rugby state.
Wallabies Management confirmed that the duo will return to Sydney and Canberra, respectively, on Tuesday, along with wider squad members Tane Edmed (Waratahs), David Feliuai, Lington Ieli, Ryan Lonergan and Rory Scott (all Brunby).
However, it is the release of Kerraway that provides insight into what Wallabee coach Joe Schmidt thinks of an outside back for Sunday’s test with Withey, with western forcewinger Harry Potter poised to add to his two test caps.
Potter was not released to the Western forces prior to the clash with the Lions, finishing 54-7 in the tourist advantage, with Keraway and Thor back on the super team, with the former Leicester winger looking like a box set for a start with Fiji.
You’ll need rewards for your outstanding season with the Force. There, he proved his class under counter attacks and highballs, offering some highlight finishes along the way.
He could be joined by either Max Jorgensen or Filippo Daugnu in the back three alongside fullback Tom Wright, but Dylan Pietschu, who starred for his strength against the Lions, could be given another opportunity to be impressed.
The fact that Jorgensen has not been released suggests that he will see some action in Newcastle on Sunday. The young man will finally fit after an ankle syndesis injury that ended his Super Rugby season just a few months later.
2:08
Is Finn Russell glued to Lions No. 10?
Sam Bruce and Christy Dolan discuss why Finn Russell should lead the British and Irish lions in the fly half after his performance against the Western Army.
Meanwhile, Piestchu has proven himself a major threat around the paddock to the Lions last Saturday. There was no chance of a test against tourists at some stage of the series, especially from a reboot, despite the Super Rugby season, which was derailed by a Quad injury.
In addition to Piestis’ hopes to face Fiji on Match Day 23, it is the fact that he designed the Wallabee First Nations jersey.
Keraway’s return to Sydney further enhances the chances of Waratus raising at least some opposition against the Lions, following the release of finger’s Prop Tanieratupo and one-test winger Derby Lancaster.
The fly half inclusion setting means Waratah can send as many as six Wallabys covering players to match 23.
Rangi Gleason would have added some important power ahead of time, but the fact that he has not been released by Schmidt suggests he is ready to play some role against Fiji on Sunday.
Speaking at Newcastle on Monday, the Wallabies said Fraser McWright, who is in the selection match against Force rival Carlo Tizzano, is open side, and Australia is focusing solely on Fiji despite the Lion Series series.
“I think it’s all focused on Fiji. It’s hard to say anything about the Lions,” McWright said.
“There’s clearly a lot of moving parts. Super Rugby Club needs Wallabies and all of that, so it’s a coach’s decision.
“We try our best to maintain and reach each training day.”
McReight also worked on reports that the veteran props are ready to receive a big buck offer in France at the end of the season.
“That’s difficult, right? You’ve got a lot of young Titheads coming in and he was one of the best Titheads in the world,” he said.
“It’s tricky, but hopefully he’ll get over it and gain some new experiences and perspectives.
“I hope that the doors will be open for new talent to arrive and that Nera will return to being a better person, a better player.”