Quade Cooper has made a stunning return to the Wallabies, four years after he played his last Test in the gold jersey.
Cooper has answered an SOS from Wallabies coach Dave Rennie ahead of the Bledisloe Cup amid James O'Connor's battle with a persistent groin injury, and the challenges thrown up by the latest COVID-19 outbreaks in both NSW and Victoria and the border closures that have followed.
The 70-Test veteran joined the Wallabies camp on the Gold Coast on Sunday evening just a few hours after Rennie had unveiled a 42-man squad -- that didn't include Cooper -- for the Bledisloe Cup, which at this stage is still to have its scheduled finalised.
Nine Newspapers first reported news of Cooper's entry into the Australia camp, with a Wallabies spokesperson confirming his arrival to ESPN.
In a twist of fate, Cooper's return to the Wallabies environment comes just a week after he detailed his ongoing fight for Australian citizenship on social media.
Cooper joins the uncapped Duncan Paia'aua in the Wallabies squad to provide cover for young Brumbies playmaker Noah Lolesio, who started all three Tests against France, while Reece Hodge is also capable of filling in at No. 10 just as he did in Bledisloe IV last year.
Paia'aua is the first player to be included in a Wallabies squad under the updated Giteau Law, which allows Rennie to select two players at a time that do not meet the 60-cap threshold for overseas eligibility.
Paia'aua has been back in Queensland following the end of his European season with French club Toulon.
As reported earlier today, Rennie also recalled some familiar faces and added newcomer Nick Frost in a 42-man squad to prepare for Australia's Bledisloe Cup campaign.
Heading the recalls was 2019 Rugby World Cup lock Izack Rodda, along with Western Force teammate and prop Tom Robertson who last played for the Wallabies in 2018.
A surprise addition is former Queensland Reds playmaker Duncan Paia'aua, who plays for French club Toulon and becomes the first player picked for the Wallabies under the amended Giteau law.
The 26-year-old appeared for the Wallabies against the Barbarians in an uncapped match in 2017.
Young Brumbies lock Frost is the only player selected for the first time in a Wallabies squad, with his club teammate Pete Samu rejoining the group after a successful return from injury via club rugby.
Experienced Wallabies Nic White and Scott Sio have overcome knee and hamstring injuries respectively to re-join, along with centre/winger Jordan Petaia (quad).
Fresh off the Wallabies' first home series win since 2014, Rennie named a largely similar squad to that which defeated France 2-1.
The group was assembling at Sanctuary Cove on the Gold Coast on Sunday, to prepare for the first Bledisloe Cup Test in Auckland on August 7.
"The connection this group is forming is growing every day and we've picked a squad of players here who are willing to work hard for each other," Rennie said.
"We know we've still got a way to go to get to where we want to be but that challenge is exciting and something we're looking forward to.
"We have a great opportunity coming up in the Rugby Championship and Bledisloe Cup Tests to build on the momentum we picked up during a tough French Series."
Wallabies squad: Allan Alaalatoa, Tom Banks, Angus Bell, Pone Fa'amausili, Lalakai Foketi, Nick Frost, Jake Gordon, Reece Hodge, Michael Hooper (c), Len Ikitau, Feleti Kaitu'u, Andrew Kellaway, Marika Koroibete, Rob Leota, Noah Lolesio, Lachlan Lonergan, Ryan Lonergan, Tate McDermott, Fraser McReight, Andy Muirhead, Isi Naisarani, James O'Connor, Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Duncan Paia'aua, Hunter Paisami, Jordan Petaia, Matt Philip, Tom Robertson, Izack Rodda, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Pete Samu, Scott Sio, James Slipper, Darcy Swain, Lachlan Swinton, Matt To'omua, Taniela Tupou, Jordan Uelese, Rob Valetini, Nic White, Harry Wilson, Tom Wright, Quade Cooper.