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Western Force pair Sitaleki Timani and Feleti Kaitu’u selected for Wallabies Test series against France

Nick TaylorThe West Australian
Force second-rower Sitaleki Timani.
Camera IconForce second-rower Sitaleki Timani. Credit: Mason Truong/Mason Truong

Western Force second-rower Sitaleki Timani and hooker Feleti Kaitu’u have been named in Dave Rennie’s Wallabies squad for the Test series against France next month.

Timani, who has 18 Wallaby appearances, last played for Australia on the 2013 Spring Tour against Scotland.

He returned to the Force this year after eight seasons in the French Top 14 with Montpellier and Clermont.

Kaitu’u, who has had a breakout Super Rugby season, has been called up for international duty for the first time.

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It is understood prop Tom Robertson, centre Kyle Godwin, and back-rowers Kane Koteka and Fergus Lee-Warner were very close to selection.

Force coach Tim Sampson said: “Part of getting Sita back was getting him back into the Wallabies and it’s a box ticked.

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“His experience will be crucial against France.

“Feleti is a great story for him personally and for the club.

“He came to us in 2018 and it shows the importance of having five (Australian Super) clubs.

“He could well have ended up overseas and three year’s on he’s going to be pulling on a Wallaby jersey hopefully.

“He’s worked extremely hard on his game. His call-up is absolutely deserved.”

Rennie has 11 uncapped players in a 38-man squad including 105-test veteran Michael Hooper as captain after a year playing in Japan.

“We’ve picked this squad on form and potential,” he said.

“We’ve got good men in our group who when they cross the chalk, we want them to become a different creature - aggressive and competitive.”

Meanwhile Sampson will start a comprehensive season review after again falling short in the 31-21 loss in the final trans-Tasman clash with ladder leading Blues.

They were 28 points down at half-time before winning the second half by 18 points.

The Force have been notoriously slow starters and not been ahead at the break in any match, including their four Australian Super wins.

Sampson will review the build-up to match days and gets the chance to test any new regime when the Force play New Zealand NPC heavyweights Bay of Plenty next month.

He does not believe player mindset or belief is the problem.

“We’ll review everything, how we approach games during the week, how we start games. There has got to be a change but I believe we have been the most consistent Australian club,” Sampson said.

“We’ve made some giant strides but it’s important that we kick on and continue to build the club.”

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