Veteran Beale back in Australia squad for All Blacks Tests

Veteran back Kurtley Beale was on Thursday named in the Wallabies' squad for two Rugby Championship clashes against New Zealand, but towering lock Rory Arnold was omitted for family reasons.

Beale returned from a stint in France with Racing 92 this year to sign for the NSW Waratahs and keep himself in the frame to play at a fourth World Cup next year.

The 33-year-old playmaker was not included in Australia's squad for their three-Test series against England in July or the previous four Rugby Championships matches as he recovered from a hamstring injury.

But he is on the verge of a 96th Test with Noah Lolesio and Hunter Paisami both needing to clear concussion tests to be considered for the rare midweek match on September 15 in Melbourne, which doubles as the first Bledisloe Cup game.

First-choice lock Arnold will not feature with his wife heavily pregnant, while usual captain Michael Hooper continues to be on mental health leave.

Cadeyrn Neville was the only other addition to the squad that won one and lost one against South Africa over the past fortnight, replacing Arnold after recovering from a knee injury sustained in the second Test against England in July.

"It's great to be able to keep the core of our group together and welcome Cadeyrn back to the mob, while we wish Rory all the best for what's an incredibly exciting time for him and his family," said coach Dave Rennie.

"Kurtley is a welcome return to the squad after recovering from a long-term injury and will bring his passion for the jersey along with his wealth of experience at Test level."

Rennie's men were handed a brutal 24-8 wake-up call by the Springboks in Sydney last weekend after beating them a week earlier in Adelaide.

To bring home the Bledisloe trophy for the