David Pocock and Sean McMahon back in Australia squad
Friday 14 October 2016 09:46, UK
Australia coach Michael Cheika has named back-row forwards David Pocock and Sean McMahon in a 31-man squad for the final Bledisloe Cup Test against New Zealand in Auckland next week.
Pocock returns after missing a month of rugby due to a broken hand suffered during the Rugby Championship victory over Argentina in Perth a month ago.
McMahon injured his ankle in the defeat to South Africa a week later in Pretoria but has recovered well ahead of schedule.
Scrum-half Will Genia has been omitted from the Wallabies squad in order to return to France for club duty with Stade Francais, with the match falling outside the international Test window.
Cheika said: "As much as I'd like to have Will, no complaints from my end. They are totally within their rights to ask for the player back
"Genia has been in some of the best form he's had in an Australian jersey. He's been really instrumental for the team as a whole and he's one of the senior players we do have, but it's a great opportunity for Nick Phipps to get back out there and stake a claim for the jersey."
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Lock Will Skelton has been recalled to the squad after impressing in the domestic National Rugby Championship.
The All Blacks, who sealed the three-match series with victories in Sydney and Wellington in the Rugby Championship, will set a new top-tier record if they claim an 18th successive Test win by beating Australia.
Forwards: Allan Ala'alatoa, Rory Arnold, Adam Coleman, Kane Douglas, Scott Fardy, James Hanson, Michael Hooper, Sekope Kepu, Tolu Latu, Sean McMahon, Stephen Moore, Dean Mumm, David Pocock, Tom Robertson, Rob Simmons, Scott Sio, Will Skelton, James Slipper, Lopeti Timani.
Backs: Quade Cooper, Israel Folau, Bernard Foley, Nick Frisby, Dane Haylett-Petty, Reece Hodge, Samu Kerevi, Tevita Kuridrani, Luke Morahan, Sefanaia Naivalu, Nick Phipps, Henry Speight.
