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Matt Giteau named in Australia squad for Rugby Championship

Australia's centre Matt Giteau scores his team's third try during a Pool A match of the 2015 Rugby World Cup between England and Australia at Twickenham st
Image: Australia's centre Matt Giteau has been named in the squad for the Rugby Championship

Matt Giteau will take a two-month wage cut to play for Australia in the Rugby Championship.

Giteau has been named in the Wallabies training squad, defying the wishes of his Top 14 club Toulon, who will not pay him during the tournament, which is live on Sky Sports.

His team-mate Drew Mitchell will also take the hit, and coach Michael Cheika said it has been a tough process to get the Toulon pair released.

"Matt and Drew, who are in that situation, and all the lads who have come from overseas - it wasn't a straightforward chit-chat with the club owners to get them back - [the players themselves] have pushed those discussions," Cheika said. 

Toulon player Matt Giteau in action
Image: Giteau will not be paid by Toulon for two months

"Players are starting to realise that it's not just about money, you've got to make the most of your career on all fronts. Achievement is why we're playing the game. I don't think anyone's playing this game for a job, not at this level." 

The squad contains four uncapped players, including Waratahs prop Tom Robertson and Rebels forward Lopeti Timani who have been selected in a Wallabies train-on squad for the first time.

"Next week's training squad will include selected players from Canberra and we will start to look closely at the final 33 in preparation for the Central Coast camp."

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Image: Michael Cheika says the foreign-based players put country before money

Adam Ashley-Cooper and Will Genia - who like Giteau and Mitchell play their club rugby abroad - are also included ahead of the opening Bledisloe Cup Test in Sydney.

"All of our eligible European-based players expressed a desire to play for the Wallabies during The Rugby Championship and that experience is invaluable," Cheika said. 

"We have a very clear purpose in this team and we are prepared to work very hard to respect that purpose."

Squad: Allan Alaalatoa, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Adam Coleman, Quade Cooper, Kane Douglas, Scott Fardy, Israel Folau, Bernard Foley, Nick Frisby, Will Genia, Matt Giteau, James Hanson, Dane Haylett-Petty, Reece Hodge, Michael Hooper, Rob Horne, Sekope Kepu, Samu Kerevi, Tevita Kuridrani, Ben McCalman, Sean McMahon, Drew Mitchell, Luke Morahan, Stephen Moore, Dean Mumm, Nick Phipps, David Pocock, Tatafu Polota-Nau, Tom Robertson, Rob Simmons, Scott Sio, Will Skelton, James Slipper, Toby Smith, Lopeti Timani, Matt Toomua

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