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Reds lock added to Wallaby squad

Sydney - Reds lock Lukhan Tui is back in the Test mix, at the expense of veteran team-mate Kane Douglas, after he was added to the Wallabies' Rugby Championship squad. 

Douglas was a surprise selection in the Wallabies' Newcastle camp, after finding himself out of favour with the Reds in the Super Rugby season, overtaken by Tui and Izack Rodda in the match day 23. 

Wallabies coach Michael Cheika showed faith in Douglas to return to the form he enjoyed in the 2015 Rugby World Cup, but the second-row hasn't been able to challenge for a Test selection.

Tui, who is uncapped at Test level, was part of the Wallabies squad in June, before a knee injury ruled him out of the initial Rugby Championship squad. 

Wallabies lock Rory Arnold told media in Canberra this morning he had been impressed with Tui's return to rugby, having put in two terrific shifts for Brisbane City in the National Rugby Championship (NRC). 

"Lukhan had a great year, he's had a great year with the Reds and I've done a bit of work with him in June, when he was brought into the squad," said Arnold. 

"It's good to see him being called back into the squad by Cheik and he's strung a couple of good games together in the NRC. 

"I'm looking forward to seeing what he has got at training and I'm sure he will be pushing for selection." 

Arnold believes Tui, along with fellow Queensland young gun Izack Rodda, have what it takes to push for regular minutes in the Wallabies fold. 

Arnold isn't the most experienced player in Cheika's squad but he, along with Adam Coleman and Rob Simmons, have a responsibility to lead the exciting rookies. 

"I'll give them a little bit of advice where I do feel comfortable doing that," he said. 

"But we have Simmo as well there, he has played a lot of Tests and he has been around so he will be giving the boys some messages as well. 

"Two or three years ago that second row spot, we didn't have much depth coming through so when you look at it now, we have so many guys coming through and I'm looking over my shoulder with young bucks pushing for selection." 

Douglas will return to Queensland to play for City in the NRC, as he looks for match fitness.

Former skipper Stephen Moore is also back in camp after the birth of his third child, with Tolu Latu dropping out of the group.

Australia squad:

Forwards

Allan Alaalatoa, Rory Arnold, Adam Coleman, Jack Dempsey, Tetera Faulkner, Ned Hanigan, Michael Hooper (captain), Sekope Kepu, Adam Korczyk, Sean McMahon, Stephen Moore, Tatafu Polota-Nau, Tom Robertson, Izack Rodda, Rob Simmons, Scott Sio, Lopeti Timani, Lukhan Tui, Jordan Uelese

Backs

Kurtley Beale, Israel Folau, Bernard Foley, Will Genia, Reece Hodge, Samu Kerevi, Marika Koroibete, Tevita Kuridrani, Billy Meakes, Izaia Perese, Nick Phipps, Joe Powell, Curtis Rona, Henry Speight

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