The Wallabies face Wales in the fourth and final game of the series at Principality Stadium on 20 November and will be hoping to avoid a third successive defeat to Wales after losing to them in the quarter-finals of the 2019 World Cup (29-25) and on their last visit to Cardiff in 2018 (9-6).
La Rochelle lock Skelton was one of the candidates for European Player of the year last season and is joined by Toulouse second row Rory Arnold. Both men played against each other in the Heineken Champions Cup and Tpop 14 finals last season, when Toulouse completed the double.
Stade Francais hooker Latu is also drafted into the squad and, like Arnold, will be hoping to pull on the green and gold jersey for the first time since the 2019 Rugby World Cup. Skelton last played for Australia in 2016.
Japanese-based trio Quade Cooper, Sean McMahon and Samu Kerevi have also been named in the 37-man squad, with Kerevi still hoping to overcome an ankle injury to be able to play on the four match trip.
Waratahs centre Izaia Perese and Brumbies hooker Connal McInerney are amongst four uncapped players named for by Rennie. Perese was originally named in the squad to face France in July, but was forced to withdraw after picking up a shoulder injury.
“Firstly we’re extremely grateful to be able to represent Australia on the world stage in the current environment and that’s something that’s not lost on this group,” said Rennie.
“We’ve been building as a squad over the past 18 months and to get a chance to head to the Northern Hemisphere and test ourselves against four really strong international sides is a great opportunity to learn more about ourselves.
“To have a few experienced players from overseas join us will no doubt help our development as we continue to grow and improve as a team.”
AUSTRALIAN 2021 TOUR PARTY
Name / Caps / Club / Age
Allan Alaalatoa (50, Brumbies, 27)
Rory Arnold (26, Stade Toulousain, 31)
Angus Bell (12, NSW Waratahs, 21)
Quade Cooper (74, Kintetsu Liners, 33)
Filipo Daugunu (6, Queensland Reds, 26)
Pone Fa’amausili* (uncapped, Melbourne Rebels, 24)
Folau Fainga’a (21, Brumbies, 26)
Lalakai Foketi* (uncapped, NSW Waratahs, 26)
Jake Gordon (10, NSW Waratahs, 28)
Reece Hodge (53, Melbourne Rebels, 27)
Michael Hooper (115, NSW Waratahs, 29) CAPTAIN
Len Ikitau (9, Brumbies, 23)
Feleti Kaitu’u (3, Western Force, 26)
Andrew Kellaway (9, Melbourne Rebels, 25)
Samu Kerevi (38, Suntory Sungoliath, 28)
Marika Koroibete (42, Panasonic Wildknights, 29)
Tolu Latu (19, Stade Francais, 28)
Rob Leota (2, Melbourne Rebels, 24)
Tate McDermott (11, Queensland Reds, 23)
Connal McInerney* (uncapped, Brumbies, 26)
Sean McMahon (27, Suntory Sungoliath, 27)
James O’Connor (57, Queensland Reds, 31)
Hunter Paisami (11, Queensland Reds, 23)
Izaia Perese* (uncapped, NSW Waratahs, 24)
Jordan Petaia (14, Queensland Reds, 21)
Matt Philip (19, Melbourne Rebels, 27)
Tom Robertson (26, Western Force, 26)
Izack Rodda (30, Western Force, 24)
Pete Samu (15, Brumbies, 29)
Will Skelton (18, Stade Rochelais, 29)
James Slipper (110, Brumbies, 32)
Darcy Swain (9, Brumbies, 24)
Lachlan Swinton (6, NSW Waratahs, 24)
Taniela Tupou (35, Queensland Reds, 25)
Rob Valetini (14, Brumbies, 23)
Nic White (43, Brumbies, 31)
Tom Wright (5, Brumbies, 24)
*denotes uncapped
Wallabies’ Fixtures
v Japan at Oita Stadium, on Saturday 23 October (1.45pm local)
v Scotland at BT Murrayfield, on Sunday 7 November (2.15pm)
v England at Twickenham, on Saturday 13 November (5.30pm)
v Wales at Principality Stadium, on Saturday 20 November (5.30pm)
TICKETS for Wales Men Autumn Series are on sale now via wru.wales/tickets
