MICHAEL CHEIKA HAS called Waratahs hooker Tolu Latu into his squad ahead of Saturday’s first Test against Ireland in Brisbane after Jordan Uelese was ruled out with a knee injury.
25-year-old Latu, who has already won four caps, looks set to come straight into the matchday 23 for the Wallabies.
Advertisement
Latu in action against Ireland in 2016. James Crombie / INPHO
James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO
Rebels man Uelese was expected to wear the number two shirt against Ireland until he suffered his ACL injury, which left Cheika with two uncapped hookers in his squad in the shape of 22-year-old Brandon Paenga-Amosa and 23-year-old Folau Fainga’a.
Keen to add a little more experience to his hooking options, Cheika has turned to Latu.
“Right now he’s our most-capped hooker in Australia, so he’s got that little bit of experience playing in the big-match atmosphere,” said the Wallabies boss.
“Anaru Rangi has had a really good season with Melbourne too, so he’s definitely not out of the equation. I’m just keen for the two uncapped hookers to have a little experience around.”
Cheika and Joe Schmidt will name their teams for this weekend’s clash tomorrow.
The42 is on Instagram! Tap the button below on your phone to follow us!
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
Close
Comments
This is YOUR comments community. Stay civil, stay constructive, stay on topic.
Please familiarise yourself with our comments policy
here
before taking part.
Cheika calls Latu into Wallabies squad ahead of first Ireland Test
Murray Kinsella reports from Surfers Paradise
MICHAEL CHEIKA HAS called Waratahs hooker Tolu Latu into his squad ahead of Saturday’s first Test against Ireland in Brisbane after Jordan Uelese was ruled out with a knee injury.
25-year-old Latu, who has already won four caps, looks set to come straight into the matchday 23 for the Wallabies.
Rebels man Uelese was expected to wear the number two shirt against Ireland until he suffered his ACL injury, which left Cheika with two uncapped hookers in his squad in the shape of 22-year-old Brandon Paenga-Amosa and 23-year-old Folau Fainga’a.
Keen to add a little more experience to his hooking options, Cheika has turned to Latu.
“Right now he’s our most-capped hooker in Australia, so he’s got that little bit of experience playing in the big-match atmosphere,” said the Wallabies boss.
“Anaru Rangi has had a really good season with Melbourne too, so he’s definitely not out of the equation. I’m just keen for the two uncapped hookers to have a little experience around.”
Cheika and Joe Schmidt will name their teams for this weekend’s clash tomorrow.
The42 is on Instagram! Tap the button below on your phone to follow us!
The Uber-driving Mormon missionary who is set for a Wallabies debut
No Rory Best but Schmidt’s options can allow Ireland to make strong start
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
experience hooker Ireland Michael Cheika number two Tolu Latu Wallabies