Powerhouse centre Samu Kerevi has withdrawn from the Wallabies’ European tour and playmaker Quade Cooper is also in doubt, with coach Dave Rennie considering recalling Kurtley Beale to bolster his backline.

Rennie said Kerevi and back rower Sean McMahon both opted to remain in Japan with their club Suntory Goliath rather than joining the tour.

He said the Wallabies were discussing with Cooper’s club, Kintetsu Liners, whether the veteran flyhalf would be available for the tour, which includes Tests against Scotland, England and Wales.

Rennie described the loss of Kerevi and McMahon as “disappointing” but said he understood their decision.

“We were keen to get a bit more out of them late in the year, but they’ve made their call based on the desire of the clubs and we’ve just got to get on with things,” he said in an interview released by the Wallabies late on Tuesday.

Kerevi, McMahon and Cooper signed for their Japanese clubs before the Wallabies relaxed selection rules for overseas players.

The Wallabies could insist on their release as the tour falls in an international Test window, but Rennie said the players did not want to put their clubs offside.

With Reece Hodge in doubt because of a pectoral injury, Rennie confirmed he was looking at bringing in Beale for the tour’s opening Test against Scotland on 8 November.

“We’ve made contact with Kurtley and we’ve had conversations with Kurtley over a period of time, he’s made it really clear his desire to be a Wallaby again,” he said.

Beale (32) played the last of his 92 Tests at the 2019 World Cup in Japan and is currently with French club Racing 92.

© Agence France-Presse

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