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Wallabies coach Michael Cheika is considering giving Samu Kerevi some rugby sevens action in Byron Bay as preparation for the final Bledisloe Test of the year.
Wallabies star Samu Kerevi could be sent to the Byron Bay Sevens as radical preparation for next week's third Bledisloe Cup clash with the All Blacks.
Coach Michael Cheika raised the possibility on Thursday after recalling Kerevi and back-rower Jack Dempsey from long-term injuries and thrusting the pair into a 31-man squad travelling to Japan.
Kerevi hasn't played since rupturing a bicep during the June series against Ireland and is in a desperate battle to prove his fitness for Saturday week's final trans-Tasman stoush of the year, in Yokohama.
"Samu is obviously an important player. We see him as an important player in the squad for a few different reasons," Cheika said.
"It would have been handy for him to have another game or two under his belt.
"There's a sevens tournament up in Byron Bay on Saturday so we might even let him have a run in that so he can get a feel for that and just making some tackles again.
"Playing some footy would be ideal before going into any type of Test match as opposed to just training, just being out there and getting that self confidence."
Reece Hodge has started outside centre in all six Tests in Kerevi's absence.
Dempsey hasn't played for the Wallabies since ripping his hamstring off the bone before last season's spring tour but has also been included in Cheika's squad.
Fellow NSW forward Jed Holloway has earned his first squad call-up after an impressive season in Super Rugby while Waratahs teammate Jake Gordon and Melbourne Rebels flanker Angus Cottrell are the other uncapped selections.
Brumbies pair Tom Banks and Rory Arnold will fly to Japan on Sunday after being released for the Canberra Vikings' National Rugby Championship (NRC) semi-final against Fijian Drua in Lautoka, Fiji.
The clash against New Zealand is set to be a memorable occasion for Sekope Kepu, who is in line to become the Wallabies' ninth centurion and the first prop to record 100 caps in Australia's Test history.
The squad for the spring tour of Wales, Italy and England will be named after the third and final Bledisloe Cup clash of 2018.
Wallabies squad for third Bledisloe Cup Test
Backs: Tom Banks, Kurtley Beale, Israel Folau, Bernard Foley, Will Genia, Jake Gordon, Dane Haylett-Petty, Reece Hodge, Samu Kerevi, Marika Koroibete, Jack Maddocks, Sefa Naivalu, Nick Phipps.
Forwards: Jermaine Ainsley, Allan Alaalatoa, Rory Arnold, Adam Coleman, Angus Cottrell, Jack Dempsey, Folau Fainga'a, Ned Hanigan, Jed Holloway, Michael Hooper (capt), Sekope Kepu, Tolu Latu, Brandon Paenga-Amosa, David Pocock, Izack Rodda, Rob Simmons, Scott Sio, Taniela Tupou.
