TOKYO —TEST centurion Adam Ashley-Cooper is in line to play his first Test in more than two years, after being called into Michael Cheika’s Wallabies squad for their three Test Spring Tour.

Ashley-Cooper was one of a number of additions made by Cheika following their 37-20 loss to the All Blacks on Saturday in Yokohama, with 18-year-old Reds sensation Jordan Petaia also called up and Brumbies back-rower Rob Valetini included as a development player.

Should Petaia make his debut against either Wales, Italy or England throughout November, he will become the third youngest Wallaby of all time behind Brian Ford and James O’Connor.

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Experienced Leicester duo Matt Toomua and Tatafu Polota-Nau will also feature during the Wallabies’ final three Tests of the year, but the latter will remain in England until the squad arrives in London on Saturday.

It was the selections of Ashley-Cooper and Petaia that grabbed the headlines.

Wallabies great Asley-Cooper, 34, left Australian rugby after the 2015 World Cup final, but is eligible for selection after playing the required 60 Tests, seven years of Super Rugby service.

The experienced back is currently playing alongside All Blacks great Dan Carter for Kobe Steelers in the Japanese Top League and had two prosperous years with Bordeaux in the French Top 14 before that.

In August,foxsports.com.au revealed that Ashley-Cooper was in advanced talks with the Waratahs about a return to the Super Rugby club he won a title with in 2014.

The Waratahs have since confirmed the 116 Test great is close to signing a deal.

Ashley-Cooper – widely regarded as one of the Wallabies’ most consistent performers and best defensive back in a decade – is hoping that a return to Super Rugby will put him in the best possible shape to push for a fourth World Cup campaign.

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Not only will he push for a position on tour, he will play the role of master for his young apprentice Petaia, who is almost half his age but considered a player of immense potential.

“He’ll (Ashley-Cooper) train with us, we’ll see where he’s at,” Cheika told reporters following Bledisloe III.

“He’s come on the tour with us to be available for selection, he’s not coming for a holiday.

“His experience is important and also just his versatility, his ability to cover a few positions.

“With him and then a guy like Jordan, it’s probably a good balance. We need a couple of extra backs here on the trip.”

While Ashley-Cooper might have lost a shade of pace since he last wore the green and gold against the All Blacks in August 2016, what he can offer the Wallabies is an abundance of experience and polish in attack and defence.

Ashley-Cooper made a career out of making the right decision and finishing every chance afforded to him; something the Wallabies missed on Saturday in Yokohama in Bledisloe III.

The Wallabies made 10 linebreaks to the All Blacks’ eight on Saturday, but too often they turned the ball over soon after and it’s hoped that Ashley-Cooper’s composure – even if he doesn’t play – will help the squad address those problems.

Adam Ashley-Cooper playing for Bordeaux-Begles in 2016. Source: AFP

“The two tries we scored were off I think were sixth and eighth phase, so we know we want to keep more ball and not get too pushy to get over the line,” Cheika said.

“It’s not about ingrained decision making, it’s just about reading the situation and going from there.

“When we’re in behind an opposition, we really should be looking for it (keeping the ball alive).

“When the opposition defenders are in front of us…we’ve given away three or four intercepts this season, so we’re just trying too much when our opponents are still in front of us.

“The one that Reece Hodge threw in Argentina, you’re OK with that, sometimes it happens. We’re on the move, in behind them, we’ve got the numbers there to cash in on that and sometimes it just goes that way.

“Other times when all defenders are in front of you, maybe you need to take a different decision.”

On Petaia, who had an excellent debut season for the Reds and scored 10 tries for Queensland Country in the NRC, Cheika said the tour was vital for his World Cup aspirations.

“He’s just got a lot of good touches,” Cheika said.

“He’s a good lad, he wants to succeed, he wants to do the work, he’s eager.

Jordan Petaia. Source: AAP

“Having him here with us on these next few weeks will give him an idea of what’s required at the level and give him a chance to make a play for the World Cup squad.”

On Friday, Cheika will trim his squad before flying to London Heathrow.

Jed Holloway and Brandon Paenga-Amosa could be among those who are sent back for pre-season.

Cheika had hoped to lessen the work load of some of his other players and given them a break before next year’s mammoth season, but Saturday’s loss has meant he has had to shelve some of those plans.

The Wallabies’ next Test is against Wales on November 11 (AEDT).