Peter Betham will replace Henry Speight in the Wallabies squad. Photo: Skysports
Waratahs wing Peter Betham will join the Wallabies Rugby Championship squad, after Brumbies flyer Henry Speight was sidelined for a month with a hamstring injury.
Speight, who becomes eligible to represent Australia from September 11, suffered the injury in the second half of the Brumbies’ recent Super Rugby semi-final clash against the Waratahs in Sydney.
Betham replaces Speight in the Wallabies squad and will now push for further representative honours after earning his international debut for Australia in the third Bledisloe Cup Test against New Zealand in Dunedin last year.
“It’s disappointing for Henry but I’ve got no doubt that he’ll go back and work hard during the rehab process to get his injury healed before he becomes eligible to play for Australia in mid-September,” said Wallabies coach Ewen McKenzie.
“On the flip side, we bring in a guy in Peter Betham who has had significant exposure to our program over the past year and who made his Test debut against New Zealand in 2013.
“He’s a quality team member on and off the field and will be determined to make the most of the opportunity he has been given.”
The Wallabies, minus the Waratahs players participating in the Super Rugby Final, will assemble on Sunday August 3 to begin their week-long regional road trip across Dubbo, Orange, Bathurst and Penrith.
The Waratahs representatives in the Wallabies squad will join the team in Bathurst on Wednesday August 6.
- Planet Rugby
Fiji Rugby Blog 