Rugby: Former All Blacks prop Alex Hodgman poised to pull on Wallabies jersey in Joe Schmidt's first Australia squad

Prop Alex Hodgman is poised to become the first player in the professional era to represent both New Zealand and Australia, after being named in the Wallabies squad for July tests against Wales and Georgia.

The loosehead played four tests for the All Blacks in 2020 and qualifies for the Wallabies through his Fijian-Australian father, after moving to Queensland Reds this year.

Hodgman, 30, was one of 21 forwards included in Joe Schmidt's first Wallabies squad, after the departure of Eddie Jones.

Alex Hodgman in action for the All Blacks.
Alex Hodgman in action for the All Blacks. Photo credit: Getty Images

The Kiwi coach has been charged with turning around the Wallabies in time for next year's British & Irish Lions tour, after they won only two of nine tests and crashed out of the World Cup poolstage for the first time under Jones last year.

"We've combined the observations we've made with some candid discussion and feel that we have some very good players to start working with," said Schmidt.

Left out of the World Cup squad by Jones, Noah Lolesio is one beneficiary of the new regime, named alongside Ben Donaldson and rookie Tom Lynagh at flyhalf, after a strong Super Rugby season with ACT Brumbies.

Also returning to the fold are scrumhalf Jake Gordon, loose forward Harry Wilson and fullback Tom Wright. Thirteen uncapped players are included in the bumper 38-man squad, which will gather for a four-day camp at Brisbane.

They include Lynagh - son of Wallabies great Michael - and hooker Josh Nasser, whose father Brendan played eight tests for Australia as a flanker in the late 1980s and early 1990s.

At the other end of the spectrum, experienced utility back Kurtley Beale has been given a chance to add to his 95 test caps, after his acquittal on sexual assault charges and reviving his career at Western Force this season.

Schmidt included no overseas-based players, and left out winger Mark Nawaqanitawase and flyhalf Carter Gordon, who were both starters at the World Cup last year, but are off to rugby league next season.

Hodgman was one of six props named in the squad, and could become the fourth player to play tests for the All Blacks and the Wallabies, after Ted Jessep in the 1930s, Des Connor in the 1950s, and Owen Stephens in the 1960s and early 1970s.

Australia play Wales at Sydney on July 6 and Melbourne a week later, before a one-off test against the Georgians back in the harbour city on July 20.

Noah Lolesio scores a try for the Brumbies.
Noah Lolesio scores a try for the Brumbies. Photo credit: Getty Images

Australia squad

Forwards: Matt Faessler, Billy Pollard, Josh Nasser, James Slipper, Allan Alaalatoa, Taniela Tupou, Zane Nonggorr, Alex Hodgman, Isaac Kailea, Nick Frost, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Angus Blyth, Ryan Smith, Rob Valetini, Fraser McReight, Charlie Cale, Tom Hooper, Jeremy Williams, Liam Wright, Langi Gleeson, Harry Wilson

Backs: Nic White, Jake Gordon, Tate McDermott, Noah Lolesio, Tom Lynagh, Ben Donaldson, Hunter Paisami, Len Ikitau, Filipo Daugunu, Josh Flook, Hamish Stewart, David Feliuai, Tom Wright, Andrew Kellaway, Dylan Pietsch, Darby Lancaster, Kurtley Beale

Reuters