The Wallabies’ hopes of winning their first grand slam in 40 years have hit an early snag, with incumbent inside centre Hunter Paisami set to miss their opening fixture against England on November 10 AEDT.

As his teammates headed to Sydney International Airport en route to London, Paisami instead returned to Brisbane ahead of his 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥’s 𝐛𝐢𝐫𝐭𝐡, The Roar can reveal.

It’s believed Wallabies hierarchy debated whether Paisami should join his teammates in London from the outset and leave closer to the due date, but ultimately it was settled that the Reds midfielder would link up later in the tour.

Paisami’s absence is expected to see Schmidt immediately turn to Samu Kerevi – the experienced Japan-based midfielder, who earlier this season rejected late advances to be called up by the New Zealander because of fitness concerns.

Joseph Suaalii and Samu Kerevi train during a Wallabies training session at Victoria Barracks on October 28, 2024 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)

But after greater dialogue with Schmidt, the 31-year-old was named in his 34-man Wallabies squad last week and joined his teammates in Coogee on Sunday morning ahead of the historic four-Test tour.

“I’ve had a number of discussions with Samu – he’s pretty fit and ready to go,” Schmidt told reporters at his squad unveiling last week.

“He didn’t feel like he was earlier in the year when Marika [Koroibete] came in but I spoke to (Urayasa D-Rocks coach and former Scotland halfback) Greig Laidlaw and he said he’s probably fitter than he was all last year.”

Kerevi flew into Sydney less than 24 hours after playing his first minutes in a match since May, as he took to the field in a trial for the D-Rocks – the same side former Wallabies Israel Folau and Liam Gill play for.

Now, in the absence of Paisami and the Australian XV selection of two-Test midfielder Hamish Stewart and uncapped David Feliuai, Kerevi is poised to play his first Test in 13 months.

Samu Kerevi’s last Test for the Wallabies during the 2023 World Cup. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

Should Kerevi be selected, it will be an enormous step up from anything Kerevi has experienced since last year’s disappointing World Cup campaign.

But with just a handful of Tests up Schmidt’s sleeve before the British and Irish Lions arrive on Australian shores, the experienced coach wants to get a close look at whether Kerevi, who was nowhere near his best during last year’s World Cup campaign after an injury-plagued lead up, can feature in the blockbuster series.

“If we didn’t get Samu and Will [Skelton] involved in this window, I think it would be very difficult to have them involved for the Lions,” Schmidt said.

“So this is part of an investment for that but it’s part of an investment right now in the squad we’ve got and the growth we think those two guys think we can bring to the other guys.”

Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt is likely to throw Samu Kerevi into the deep end after Hunter Paisami stayed behind in Australia. (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images for Rugby Australia)

Schmidt’s intrigue comes after fellow Japan-based back Koroibete, who won the John Eales Medal twice in the previous five years, struggled to rediscover his form throughout The Rugby Championship. Ultimately, a hand injury suffered against the All Blacks in Bledisloe I ruled him out of the selection picture.

Although there’s several wingers of promise in Australian rugby, the stocks are leaner in the midfield for the Wallabies, especially at inside centre.

Without Kerevi, the Wallabies’ lack of size has been exposed despite Paisami’s punch.

It’s why Schmidt will be hopeful the experienced back can make a strong return in national colours.

When Paisami returns remains to be seen, but it’s likely he will feature at some point on the end of year tour.

With Kerevi only available for the first three matches, Stewart, who debuted against Argentina in the absence of the injured Paisami throughout the TRC, is also likely to join the tour at the backend of the tour after the Australian XV wrap up their two matches.

The Wallabies are expected to be heavy outsiders for the clash against England, with Steve Borthwick’s side to commence their November Tests against the All Blacks on Sunday.