New dad Hunter Paisami will replace injured star Samu Kerevi at inside centre for the Wallabies against Japan in Oita on Saturday.
The hard running, hard hitting Paisami was enjoying an impressive season for both club and country but left Australia’s squad in August to be with his wife and newborn child.
In his absence Kerevi returned to the Test fold in outstanding form to help propel the Wallabies to a four game winning streak and third in the world rankings.
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But his ankle injury has not recovered in time and Paisami was the obvious replacement.
The Test against Japan is followed by dates with Scotland, England and Wales.
The full Wallabies team will be announced this afternoon.
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Playmaker Quade Cooper is expected to be included in the squad to play Japan but there is still some uncertainty about his availability for the remainder of the tour.
“There’s conversations still happening behind the scenes between both the Wallabies and Kintetsu,” Cooper told reporters this week.
“It’s a little above our pay grade, those sorts of things.
“We just jump on the bus when we’re told, put a bib on if we’re asked to, and go about our business. It’s been a great week of preparation, preparing each of us for a tough game against Japan and everyone who’s here is excited about the opportunity…
“Those conversations are continuing, but in saying that they are my employer and I have the utmost respect for them and I’m truly grateful for the opportunity that I’ve had to be able to participate in this so whenever I’m due back, I’ll follow whatever is asked of me…
“I’m the player. I’ve been able to have discussions with both around where I stand, being in the middle of it. I love playing for my country.
“It’s a huge honour every opportunity you get. And for me even being back in the squad was something that I hadn’t planned for. So I guess it’s uncharted territory. It’s all happened fairly quickly.
“I’m just truly grateful for (Kintetsu) allowing me to be here as long as they have. We’ve been on six months of holiday, which is, throughout my career, getting six weeks off is something you never fathom.
“So being able to have five to six months off in Australia, and then I spent two to three of that in the Wallabies setup – I’m grateful for that. And it’s been a great opportunity to continue to learn and continue to grow…
“Being able to prepare with my teammates and look forward to the season ahead. I know it’s an important season for for Kintetsu with fans being able to come back to the games, that buzz being back in Japan for rugby here, I’m looking forward to being part of it.”