Forgotten Wallabies star makes shock return for Springboks

As Jordan Petaia prepares for what could be his first Test since the 2023 World Cup, Harry McLaughlin-Phillips has been officially named in his first Wallabies squad.

After Carter Gordon’s latest injury setback, the Western Force recruit was the big inclusion in Les Kiss’s 34-man squad to face the back-to-back world champion Springboks in Perth on September 27.

McLaughlin-Phillips is one of three playmakers in Kiss’s squad and joins Ben Donaldson and Declan Meredith.

The 22-year-old was named in the squad just two days after landing a conversion after the siren to sink his old side, the Queensland Reds, in the Western Force’s first-up 29-28 Super Rugby AUS victory.

The selection came despite Reds and Wallabies playmaker Tom Lynagh making his comeback from an extended run on the sidelines.

Veterans Bernard Foley and James O’Connor were also overlooked. As was Tane Edmed.

Asked why McLaughlin-Phillips had been given the nod, Kiss said that the former Red was in form and fit and had recently spent time with the Wallabies ahead of the Tests against France and Italy.

“It finally landed on the fact that Harry had been recently in the Nations Cup, he impressed immensely in there, he’s the most battle-hardened 10 of all the options,” he said.

“I thought he played very well in the weekend in the Force’s victory over the Reds so we just felt that he was the right option to come in.

“I know Harry well, he also knows a lot of the nuances of the game that I do like so I think he’s earned that right to be selected into the squad.”

The other big selection change sees Zane Nonggorr replace his Queensland Reds tight-head prop teammate Massimo de Lutiis.

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Petaia was one of three overseas-based picked in the Wallabies alongside Tom Hooper (Exeter) and Taniela Tupou (Racing 92).

The 31-capped back has come in for Filipo Daugunu, who has struggled in the gold jersey this year despite a strong Super Rugby season.

While the Wallabies are on a five-match unbeaten streak, Kiss will face his biggest challenge yet since succeeding Joe Schmidt as they prepare to take on Rassie Erasmus’s Springboks.

The world champions are running high, having defeated the All Blacks 43-28 over the weekend to win the Greatest Rivalry series 3-1.

“We’ve learned a bit more about ourselves as a group over the last four Tests, and we know we still have a lot to work on to get to where we want to be,” Kiss said.

“South Africa have been the benchmark team in world rugby for a long time, and we’re motivated by the challenge of meeting them in our own backyard in two weeks’ time.”

Petaia’s return comes after a whirlwind few years.

The 26-year-old quit rugby almost two years ago to try and crack it in the NFL.

While he was initially picked up by the LA Charges, it wasn’t long before the two-time World Cup Wallaby aborted his plans and returned to rugby.

After a brief time on the sidelines looking for his next job, Petaia joined French Top 14 outfit USA Perpignan before signing a long-term deal with Urayasu D-Rocks as Israe Folau’s replacement.

Capable of playing in the midfeild and outside backs, Kiss has long valued Petaia’s explosiveness and versatility having spent one year under the former Reds coach at the Super Rugby franchise in 2024.

It’s unclear whether Petaia will feature against the Springboks, but his selection, as well as Jock Campbell’s, will put Wright under some pressure after the Wallaby fullback’s recent struggles.

“He’s been out of the Australian system for a while but it was important that we just broaden our understanding of what’s available and how they’re looking,” Kiss said.

“There’s a lot of good back three in our country at the moment that are playing here.

“That’s what the importance of Super AUS is for us, so we can look at these players and see them in action and keep a good eye on them. Jordie being a bit further away, been in France recently, we just felt it was the opportunity to bring him in and have a good look at him.

“Positionally we know he’s covered wing 15 and 13 in the past so once he hits the ground with us, we’ll have a good look at it, but it’ll be definitely in one of those positions. Likely a back three position I’d say at this stage.”

After Gordon’s injury during the 28-all draw in Mendoza earlier this month, Donaldson is expected to retain the No.10 jersey.

Declan Meredith will likely come onto the bench in what could be his fourth cap since debuting against France in July.

Despite deciding not to draft in an experienced playmaker, Kiss said that Foley and O’Connor, who will both feature in Super Rugby next year, were still in the mix going forward.

Kiss said that Japan-based playmaker Noah Lolesio’s name had been tossed up by selectors, but added that they wanted to back the onshore talent.

“I think the experience that we do have in (Foley and O’Connor), we’d like to see them play some games and they’ll get plenty of opportunity,” Kiss said.

“When you look at experience, you can pull them in at any time and they’ll really get on the page straight away, and we know what we get from them.

“To have the opportunity to have Harry McClaugh (sic) come in and work with us and see how we work, obviously Dono (Ben Donaldson) has 20 odd Tests already so he’s building a bit of experience.

“And we’ve got young Declan Meredith who’s been in superb form for the Brumbies all year and he’s done really well for us over the last four weeks and he’s played three Test matches to date in this campaign.

“So those younger guys, we’re trying to make sure we get them upskilled, understand how they can lead the game and drive it forward.

“Part of the thinking was ensuring that those guys can have a bit of blue sky and make sure they take the team and the game forward the way that we’d like to, and we know that we can always lean back into the experience if we need to.”

Having rotated heavily across his opening four Tests in charge, Kiss is likely to pick close to his strongest available side for the Springboks Test.

And while the Wallabies will be considered outsiders, you wouldn’t rule out an upset given Erasmus is expected to rest a host of stars following his side’s gripping month-long battle with the All Blacks which once again cemented their World Cup favouritism.

Wallabies squad

Forwards (19): Allan Alaalatoa, Angus Bell, Charlie Cale, Josh Canham, Tom Hooper, Isaac Kailea, Fraser McReight, Josh Nasser, Zane Nonggorr, Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Billy Pollard, Aidan Ross, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Lachlan Shaw, Carlo Tizzano, Taniela Tupou, Rob Valetini, Jeremy Williams, Harry Wilson (c).

Backs (15): Jock Campbell, Ben Donaldson, Isaac Henry, Len Ikitau, Max Jorgensen, Ryan Lonergan, Tate McDermott, Harry McLaughlin-Phillips, Declan Meredith, Hunter Paisami, Jordan Petaia, Harry Potter, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, Kalani Thomas, Tom Wright

Unavailable for selection: Josh Flook, Langi Gleeson, Carter Gordon, Jake Gordon, Dylan Pietsch, Matt Philip, Henry Robertson, Pete Samu, Blake Schoupp,Will Skelton