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Wallabies release Reds pair Faessler and Paisami for Lions clash / Photo: © AFP
Wallabies release Reds pair Faessler and Paisami for Lions clash
Hooker Matt Faessler and centre Hunter Paisami have been released by the Wallabies so they can play for the Queensland Reds against the British and Irish Lions next week.
The move follows Lions chief Ben Calveley demanding that top Australian players appear for their Super Rugby sides in ensure competitive warm-up matches to their three-Test series.
"Matt Faessler and Hunter Paisami will return to Brisbane today to prepare with the Queensland Reds," the Wallabies posted on social media late Wednesday.
But six other Reds players remain with the Wallabies extended squad as they prepare for a one-off Test against Fiji in July 6, including Queensland captain Tate McDermott.
Calveley told reporters their agreement with Rugby Australia was "very clear".
"It says that Test players have to be released to play in fixtures leading into that series. That is our expectation," he said.
The Lions open their nine-game tour against Western Force in Perth on Saturday.
Force are set to field five Wallabies -- Nick Champion de Crespigny, Dylan Pietsch, Tom Robertson, Darcy Swain and Nic White -- who have all been released from Wallabies training in Sydney.
But team-mates Carlo Tizzano, Ben Donaldson, Jeremy Williams and Harry Potter have been retained in camp by Australia head coach Joe Schmidt.
Schmidt is keen to avoid key players picking up injuries ahead of the Test series, which starts in Brisbane on July 19.
It remains to be seen whether he releases players for Lions clashes against the NSW Waratahs and ACT Brumbies ahead of the opening Test.
S. Soerensen--BTZ
