Wallabies recall experienced trio

SYDNEY – The Wallabies have called on experienced trio Brendan Cannon, David Lyons and Morgan Turinui to bolster their 37-man squad named yesterday for next month’s four-test rugby tour to Europe.

Hooker Cannon (40 Tests) and No. 8 Lyons (40 Tests) return to the Wallabies after overcoming injuries which kept them out of this year’s internationals, while centre Turinui (20 Tests) earns a recall after playing all of Australia’s 13 Tests last year.The large squad has been chosen for four internationals and three mid-week matches in the Wallabies’ last major tour before next year’s World Cup in France.ACT Brumbies’ back Gene Fairbanks and Queensland Reds lock James Horwill are the squad’s two uncapped players.Selectors have gone with Sam Cordingley and Brett Sheehan to contest the scrumhalf position following the unavailability of Wallabies’ regular No.9 and skipper George Gregan.Centre Stirling Mortlock will captain the team in the absence of Gregan, who opted to rest from the tour to keep fresh for the World Cup.The Australians will also use the developmental tour to gauge the merits of relative Test newcomers Al Campbell, Stephen Hoiles, Hugh McMeniman, Stephen Moore and Tatafu Polota-Nau, who did not play in this year’s internationals.John Connolly, embarking on his first major overseas tour as the Wallabies’ coach since replacing Eddie Jones, said while keeping an eye on the build-up to the World Cup, the tour aim is to win Test matches.The squad will assemble for a six-day training camp on Sunday and leave for Europe on October 27.The Wallabies will play internationals against Wales, Italy, Ireland and Scotland and will have mid-week matches against Ireland A, Scotland A and Welsh team Ospreys.Tour itinerary Nov 1 – Ospreys v Australia A, Swansea Nov 4 – Wales v Australia, Cardiff Nov 11 – Italy v Australia, Rome Nov 15 – Ireland A v Australia A, Limerick Nov 19 – Ireland v Australia, Dublin Nov 21 – Scotland A v Australia A, Perth Nov 25 – Scotland v Australia, EdinburghNampa-AFP8 Lyons (40 Tests) return to the Wallabies after overcoming injuries which kept them out of this year’s internationals, while centre Turinui (20 Tests) earns a recall after playing all of Australia’s 13 Tests last year.The large squad has been chosen for four internationals and three mid-week matches in the Wallabies’ last major tour before next year’s World Cup in France.ACT Brumbies’ back Gene Fairbanks and Queensland Reds lock James Horwill are the squad’s two uncapped players.Selectors have gone with Sam Cordingley and Brett Sheehan to contest the scrumhalf position following the unavailability of Wallabies’ regular No.9 and skipper George Gregan.Centre Stirling Mortlock will captain the team in the absence of Gregan, who opted to rest from the tour to keep fresh for the World Cup.The Australians will also use the developmental tour to gauge the merits of relative Test newcomers Al Campbell, Stephen Hoiles, Hugh McMeniman, Stephen Moore and Tatafu Polota-Nau, who did not play in this year’s internationals.John Connolly, embarking on his first major overseas tour as the Wallabies’ coach since replacing Eddie Jones, said while keeping an eye on the build-up to the World Cup, the tour aim is to win Test matches.The squad will assemble for a six-day training camp on Sunday and leave for Europe on October 27.The Wallabies will play internationals against Wales, Italy, Ireland and Scotland and will have mid-week matches against Ireland A, Scotland A and Welsh team Ospreys.Tour itinerary Nov 1 – Ospreys v Australia A, Swansea Nov 4 – Wales v Australia, Cardiff Nov 11 – Italy v Australia, Rome Nov 15 – Ireland A v Australia A, Limerick Nov 19 – Ireland v Australia, Dublin Nov 21 – Scotland A v Australia A, Perth Nov 25 – Scotland v Australia, Edinburgh Nampa-AFP