Frequent flyer: James O'Connor returns for Wallabies Bledisloe Cup quest

It was initially thought the veteran would miss the back-end of the Rugby Championship due to club commitments with the Bristol Bears in England. However, this is not the case. Having flown out to England from Down Under this week, he will return for the Wallabies' camp on Sunday. 

In addition, scrumhalf Jake Gordon has recovered from injury to return to the squad, making a timely replacement for the outgoing Nic White.

Gordon spent time training with the group last week and is the only fresh face from the group that prepared to play against Argentina in Townsville and Sydney over the past fortnight.

Nick Frost (tight back) and Len Ikitau (knee laceration), both of whom missed the second Test versus Los Pumas, remain in the squad.

All-time Australian Test appearance record holder James Slipper is just one match away from becoming the first Wallaby to pull on the gold jersey on 150 occasions - where he would join Wales's Alun-Wyn Jones and New Zealand's Sam Whitelock as the only players to reach the rare milestone.

Queensland's Tate McDermott is potentially in line to bring up his 50th cap for the Wallabies in Auckland, having made his Test debut in 2020, while Canberra's Ryan Lonergan is the only uncapped player in the group.

The 34-man squad which comprised of 19 forwards and 15 backs, will depart for Auckland on Sunday.

"After an intense period, from the British and Irish Lions Series, playing in South Africa and then here in Australia against Los Pumas, it's been ideal for players to take a breath before heading to Auckland for the fifth match in the Rugby Championship," said Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt.

"We know that the Championship has been incredibly competitive and that we will need to be better than we were last time out to have any chance against a fired-up All Blacks side."

Wallabies squad

Forwards - Allan Alaalatoa, Angus Bell, Josh Canham, Nick Champion de Crespigny, Nick Frost, Tom Hooper, Fraser McReight, Josh Nasser, Zane Nonggorr, Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Billy Pollard, Tom Robertson, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, James Slipper, Carlo Tizzano, Taniela Tupou, Rob Valetini, Jeremy Williams, Harry Wilson.

Backs - Filipo Daugunu, Tane Edmed, Josh Flook, Len Ikitau, Max Jorgensen, Andrew Kellaway, Ryan Lonergan, Tom Lynagh, Tate McDermott, James O'Connor, Hunter Paisami, Harry Potter, Hamish Stewart, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, Corey Toole.

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