Teddy Wilson and Tom Lambert included in Les Kiss’s 33-man Wallabies spring tour squad

Coach Les Kiss on Friday named Teddy Wilson and Tom Lambert in a 33-man Wallabies squad to tour Europe next month for Tests that form part of the maiden Nations Championship finals weekend against England, Scotland, Wales and a yet-to-be-determined opponent. The announcement covers a four-Test tour and follows recent selection changes as Kiss looks to broaden squad depth.

Teddy Wilson is the son of Wallabies great David Wilson, the flanker who earned 79 caps and was part of the 1999 World Cup-winning side. Wilson said: “There’s a few [Wallabies] jerseys up at home, the 1999 World Cup winning jersey’s there as well,” Wilson said. “Dad, he’s been there and done that so he tells me a few things but lets me play my game.” “[The main advice was to] just work hard. He was always that type of player and … if we were slacking off when I was younger he’d get us down to the oval, doing extras.” He has been in strong form as Easts won the Shute Shield and has vowed to back his running game if handed a Test opportunity.

Wilson replaces Kalani Thomas as the third No 9 in the touring party; Thomas will play for Australia A this weekend against the United States. Ryan Lonergan is described as the established No 9 in the squad, with Wilson expected to push Tate McDermott for minutes supporting Lonergan.

Australia had gone six Tests undefeated, including Kiss’s first five in charge, before back-to-back Bledisloe Cup defeats. Taniela Tupou and Tom Hooper, who play club rugby in France and England respectively, provided important bench contributions in the Wallabies’ victory over South Africa but were unavailable for the New Zealand Tests because those matches fell outside World Rugby’s global player release period, a situation that exposed the team’s bench depth.

After a one-sided second half in Auckland Kiss shifted prop Angus Bell to the bench for the Sydney rematch; that contest was effectively over inside 30 minutes before Bell entered the field. Kiss will have access to his international options for the upcoming European tour, prompting several selection moves.

Carter Gordon has been included in the squad while recovering from a fractured leg and joins Ben Donaldson and Declan Meredith in the flyhalf options; Harry McLaughlin-Phillips has been left out following his debut off the bench in Sydney. Kiss has also named Japan-based Hunter Paisami, who was suspended for the Bledisloe Cup for a high tackle, and lock Miles Amatosero, who will also play for Australia A in the United States.

NSW junior loosehead Tom Lambert, who will join the Queensland Reds this season, replaces Aidan Ross, who started against New Zealand in Sydney. Unused fullback Jock Campbell did not make the travelling party.

“There’s a real buzz among the squad as we prepare for what will be four incredibly demanding matches against high-quality opposition,” Kiss said. “We’ve made some tough selection calls to keep building depth across the board and we know a tour like this will challenge the whole squad on many levels.”

Wallabies: Allan Alaalatoa, Miles Amatosero, Angus Bell, Josh Canham, Massimo De Lutiis, Tom Hooper, Isaac Kailea, Tom Lambert, Fraser McReight, Josh Nasser, Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Billy Pollard, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Lachlan Shaw, Carlo Tizzano, Taniela Tupou, Rob Valetini, Jeremy Williams, Harry Wilson. Filipo Daugunu, Ben Donaldson, Carter Gordon, Isaac Henry, Len Ikitau, Max Jorgensen, Ryan Lonergan, Tate McDermott, Declan Meredith, Hunter Paisami, Harry Potter, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, Teddy Wilson, Tom Wright.

Kiss will have access to his international arsenal for the four-Test tour that begins in London on 9 November, which will include Tests against England, Scotland and Wales and a yet-to-be-determined opponent as part of the Nations Championship finals weekend.