Cadeyrn Neville (left) and Mitch Inman playing for their clubs in 2012. The Melbourne Rebels pair have joined the Wallabies Spring Tour. Photos: www.seiserphotography.com

by Brendan Bradford –

Melbourne Rebels duo Cadeyrn Neville and Mitch Inman have been drafted into the Wallabies squad for the remainder of the Spring Tour. Rob Simmons’ suspension and Pat McCabe’s neck injury, both sustained against France, opened the door for the pair to potentially make their Wallabies debuts with two games remaining in the tour.

Neville, the towering Manly Marlins lock who was an instant sensation in his debut season with the Rebels and recently toured Argentina with the Wallabies, took the news of his latest selection like a seasoned professional.

“I got a bit of a heads up on Friday that there was a good chance of going over, then it was confirmed yesterday morning,” he said.

“I’m pretty excited, but at the same time relaxed about these things. Once you’re in the setup you need to be ready to go at any time.

“I went to Rebels training after the call, had a good session, then went back home to pack my bags.

“There were a few handshakes around the room from the boys which was great. But I didn’t know Mitch had also received the call-up so it was great to get that news at the same time.”

Sydney University centre Mitch Inman, fresh off another successful Shute Shield season with the Students, almost didn’t receive his first national call-up from team manager Bob Egerton.

“I had a few missed calls as I was sleeping this morning at around 7.00am, and I didn’t think much of it,” he said.

“The Wallabies manager sent me a text saying call me ASAP, it’s important, but I still had no idea I’d be joining the team for the rest of the Spring Tour.”

“But now that I’m heading over I’m really excited. I set myself some goals and now they’re starting to pay off.

“My goal was to make the Wallabies squad in June or July next year, but the call has come a lot sooner than expected. So now I’ll put my best foot forward and try and win my first Test cap in the next couple of weeks.”

Rebels Head Coach, Damien Hill is delighted for the pair, and knows first-hand how hard they’ve been training to get the call-up to the national squad.

“It’s a fantastic achievement and a great acknowledgement of their hard work and their performances during the 2012 season,” said Hill.

“The team got together before training yesterday to let the group know of Mitch and Cadeyrn’s call-ups, and the boys were able to congratulate them there and then.”

Neville and Inman join the Wallabies for the last two matches of the tour against Italy in Florence this weekend and Wales at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff the following week.