Melbourne Rebels skipper Rob Leota is set to miss out on the July Tests against Wales and Georgia after suffering an injury in Wallabies’ train-on camp this week.
Leota was one of the players told to keep training after finishing their Super Rugby commitments. It’s unlikely Schmidt will name the backrower when he releases the first squad of his Wallabies reign at 11am AEST.
Even if he is named it will be with an asterix – sources told The Roar that Leota has a grade two hamstring strain with the prognosis of a return in 6-8 weeks.
Wallabies Angus Bell and Robert Leota celebrate a try. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)
Schmidt is expected to name a squad of around 36 players on Friday morning and will hold a press conference to talk through his decisions at midday.
While Leota is a late blow, Schmidt is also set to ignore NRL converts Mark Nawaqanitawase, who is in training with the Olympic Sevens team – and Carter Gordon – who left the train on squad as soon as his signing with the NRL Titans was revealed.
Corey Toole is also going to be left out to allow him to play at the Paris Olympics, if selected.
Max Jorgensen and Angus Bell will be missing through injury, while Harry Wilson is considered touch and go after breaking his arm in Super Rugby.
Schmidt has made it clear he will only pick from Australian based players for the Tests against Wales on July 6 and July 13 and Georgia on July 20.
That means he will be without Izack Rodda, whom The Roar revealed is leaving to play alongside Ned Hanigan for Provence in French division two.
Lachie Swinton and Izaia Perese have also signed deals overseas.
The key question facing Schmidt as he picks his team is around his No.10 stocks. Noah Lolesio is the frontrunner and with Gordon leaving that opens up space for others including Tom Lynagh and Tane Edmed.
(Story will be updated at 11am)
