Wallabies release key players: Who will play against Fiji? Analysis and details

Wallabies winger Andrew Kellaway has been released to return to the NSW Waratahs, while Brumbies youngster Corey Toole has also been given the green light to face the British & Irish Lions with his Super Rugby province. The Wallabies management confirmed that the duo would return to Sydney and Canberra respectively on Tuesday, along with other team members such as Tane Edmed (Waratahs), David Feliuai, Lington Ieli, Ryan Lonergan and Rory Scott (all from the Brumbies). The release of Kellaway offers insight into Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt’s strategy for the outside backs ahead of Sunday’s match against Fiji, with Western Force winger Harry Potter set to add to his two caps. Potter was not released for the Western Force before their match against the Lions, which ended 54-7 in favor of the visitors, and with Kellaway and Toole returning to their Super teams, the former Leicester winger looks set to start against Fiji. It would be a just reward for an outstanding season with the Force, where he demonstrated his class on the counterattack and under the high ball, as well as offering several highlights. Max Jorgensen or Filipo Daugunu are likely to join him in the three-quarter line alongside fullback Tom Wright, while Dylan Pietsch, who shone for the Force against the Lions, could have another chance to impress. The fact that Jorgensen hasn’t been released suggests he will have action in Newcastle on Sunday, with the young man finally recovered from an ankle injury that ended his Super Rugby season after only a couple of months.

2:08 Is Finn Russell secured as the Lions’ number 10? Sam Bruce and Christy Doran discuss why Finn Russell should lead the British and Irish Lions at fly-half after his performance against Western Force. Meanwhile, Piestch proved to be a dominant threat on the field against the Lions last Saturday, especially at restarts, which will have favored his chances of playing a match against the visitors at some point in the series, despite a Super Rugby season that was affected by a quadriceps injury. Boosting Pietsch’s hopes of being included in the 23-player squad to face Fiji is the fact that he has designed the Wallabies’ jersey for the First Nations, which the team will wear against the Pacific Islanders on Sunday. Kellaway’s return to Sydney further boosts the Waratahs’ chances of presenting at least some opposition against the Lions, following the release of prop Taniela Tupou and winger Darby Lancaster. With Edmed ready to be included in the opening position, it means the Waratahs could line up to six players with Wallabies caps in their 23-player squad. Former Test second-rower Matt Phillip is set to debut for NSW after returning from Japanese rugby on a two-year contract. Langi Gleeson would have added significant power up front, but the fact that he hasn’t been released by Schmidt suggests he’s ready to play some role against Fiji on Sunday. Speaking in Newcastle on Monday, Wallabies flanker Fraser McReight, who is in a selection battle with Force rival Carlo Tizzano, said Australia is solely focused on Fiji despite the upcoming Lions series.

Andrew Kellaway has been cleared to return to the Waratahs for their clash with the Lions in Sydney Matt King/Getty Images for Rugby Australia

I think everything is focused on Fiji, it’s hard to say anything about the Lions.

McReight

There are so many moving parts, obviously, Super Rugby clubs need Wallabies and everything that’s going on, so that’s the coaches’ decision. We’re just trying to do the best we can to be present and get through each training day. McReight also addressed reports that veteran prop Tupou was ready to accept a big-money offer in France at the end of the season, a decision that would jeopardize the Wallabies’ future of the prop beyond 2025.

It’s difficult, isn’t it? You have many young pillars that are emerging and it has been one of the best pillars in the world.

McReight

It’s complicated, but let’s hope they leave and gain new experiences and perspectives. It leaves the door open for some new talents to emerge and let’s hope Nella returns as a better person, a better player.