Test centurion Adam Ashley-Cooper has taken the next step in an audacious bid for a fourth World Cup after joining the Wallabies in Japan.
It is the first time in two years the equal-third most capped Wallaby has been in a Test squad. He moved to France after the 2015 World Cup and played his last two Tests against New Zealand in August 2016.
Comeback: Adam Ashley-Cooper has joined the Wallabies in Japan.Credit:PA
Now, with a Waratahs reunion on the horizon and this week's call-up, Ashley-Cooper, 34, will throw his hat in the ring to join the likes of Jonny Wilkinson, Dan Carter and Richie McCaw as players who've been to four World Cups.
But it is in with the new as well as the old for the Wallabies, with Michael Cheika calling up teenage sensation Jordan Petaia to further bolster his back line stocks ahead of Australias three-Test spring tour.
Cheika confirmed the 18-year-old Queensland winger will be in contention to become the youngest player in the professional era to make his Test debut since James OConnor came off the bench against Italy in 2008.
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Petaia could even share the same debut opposition and city as OConnor, a decade apart, if Cheika throws him into the Test arena with a bench spot against Italy in Padua on November 17.
He trained with the Wallabies in Cessnock ahead of the Rugby Championship but did not make the final squad.
Five-eighth Matt Toomua also joined the squad from Leicester in England and exciting Brumbies back-rower Rob Valetini flew in from Canberra. Tatafu Polota-Nau will link up with the squad when they fly to Cardiff, Wales, at the end of the week.
Cheika said Ashley-Cooper would provide good balance and decision-making finesse for the team, which struggled to make the right calls in attack against the All Blacks in last weekend's Bledisloe Cup loss in Yokohama.
"His experience is important and also just his versatility, his ability to cover a few positions," he said.
"With him and then a guy like Jordan, its probably a good balance. We need a couple of extra backs here on the trip.
"[Ashley-Cooper] will train with us, well see where hes at. Hes come on the tour with us to be available for selection, hes not coming for a holiday."
Eager: Jordan Petaia (left) is in line to make his Test debut at the age of 18 on the European tour.Credit:AAP
The Wallabies arrived in Odawara, an hours drive south-west of Tokyo, to a warm reception from locals. Hotel staff wore Wallabies jerseys and team posters adorned almost every lamp post in town.
It will be a good week for Petaia to get accustomed to the environment after only debuting for the Reds this year. This weeks schedule is mostly commercial commitments and behind-the-scenes work, with only light training. The real work will start next week.
"Hes just got a lot of good touches," Cheika said of Petaia. "Hes a good lad, he wants to succeed, he wants to do the work, hes eager.
"Having him here with us on these next few weeks will give him an idea of whats required at the level and give him a chance to make a play for the World Cup squad."
Experience: Toomua has also joined the Wallabies in Japan.Credit:AAP
The Wallabies face Wales first, then Italy, before a season-defining clash with England at Twickenham.
Australia have not lost to the Welsh since 2008 and will be under pressure to show they have not slipped below that standard. If they do, a win against England has the potential to dull the pain and set the scene for the World Cup year ahead.
Cheika said the teams goals were simple: "Less turnovers, keep more ball."
"If you look at the tries [against New Zealand], one intercept and three straight off set pieces, the actual multi-phase defence was a big step up.
"Its hard for me, I dont want to squeeze something positive out of it but the signs are there around the things weve been working on.
"Weve got to persevere more with the ball, close those loops, because your attack helps your defence and vice versa.
Patience: Michael Cheika wants the Wallabies to hold onto the ball in attack. Credit:AP
"Just keep getting better at keeping the ball longer, even if we dont get a reward, because that will help us in defence, because well be defending less and be more aggressive there.
"Once you decide what are the things, just keep working on them, both in games when theres heat on and also at training."
Georgina Robinson is a Sports Reporter for The Sydney Morning Herald
