Chris Latham is in line to make a possible comeback for Australia in next week’s Bledisloe Cup clash with New Zealand in Auckland.
The fullback was named in the Wallabies’ 30-man training squad for the Tri-Nations encounter having played just half a game of rugby since last year’s Wallabies tour of Europe after suffering a knee injury during pre-season training with the Queensland Reds earlier this year.
Latham played 40 minutes for the Gold Coast last weekend and is hoping to feature for an hour in a semi-final with the Breakers this weekend.
The players were given the majority of the week off following last weekend’s 25-17 win over the Springboks but will gather in Sydney on Friday for a five-day camp before heading to New Zealand next Wednesday.
Latham, Berrick Barnes and Rodney Blake will join the camp on Monday after playing this weekend.
Winger Lote Tuqiri will also be part of the squad even though he was suspended from last weekend’s game and the All Blacks clash for disciplinary reasons following his failure to attend a recovery session after a late night out.
The squad will be reduced to 24 players on Tuesday before departing to New Zealand.
Australia 30-man sqaud:
Adam Ashley-Cooper, Al Baxter, Mark Chisholm, Sam Cordingley, Ryan Cross, Matt Dunning, Rocky Elsom, Adam Freier, Mark Gerrard, Matt Giteau, George Gregan, Sean Hardman, Stephen Hoiles, James Horwill, Julian Huxley, Stephen Larkham, David Lyons, Hugh McMeniman, Drew Mitchell, Stephen Moore, Stirling Mortlock (c), Wycliff Palu, Benn Robinson, Nathan Sharpe, Guy Shepherdson, George Smith, Scott Staniforth, Lote Tuqiri, Dan Vickerman, Phil Waugh (c).
