Kimlin called up

Brumbies lock Peter Kimlin has become the 13th new player to be introduced to the Wallabies in 2008 after being called up on Thursday to replace the injured James Horwill for the Spring Tour.

Horwill was ruled out last week due to a foot injury, paving the way for the 23-year-old red head to be introduced to the 34-man squad.

Wallabies coach Robbie Deans said that Kimlin had already been identified as a player of potential who they were looking to develop.

“The opportunity for Peter has come a little bit earlier than we had perhaps anticipated, but he is certainly a player that we were looking to promote,” Deans said.

“He was already in the development tube as it were, having been a part of the Australia A programme earlier in the year where he did very well. His performance there told us that he was a player who had the capability to step up to the next level.”

After making three Super 14 appearances in his debut season in 2007, Kimlin featured in all of the Brumbies' matches in 2008.

He also performed admirably for Australia A in the Pacific Nations Cup, where he partnered Brumbies team-mate Mark Chisholm in the second row.

Kimlin was one of a number of players from outside the squad who were invited to train with the Wallabies this week at the second of the team's four training camps.

The Wallabies depart for Hong Kong on October 27, and will begin the Tour with the final Bledisloe Cup Test of the year against New Zealand on November 1.