After recovering from an ankle injury, influential playmaker Lewis Holland has been chosen as have Nick Malouf and Tom Cusack, both of whom have recovered from long-term injuries.

Head Coach Andy Friend said: “I’ve made it clear to the group that it’ll be tough to make the squad for Rio if they haven’t been selected for Darwin.

“However, I have had a commitment from the non-travelling players that they will continue to work hard back in Sydney and maintain the high standards that this program has set. As we have found to our detriment this past week, injuries can happen at any time so we need the entire group to be ready to step into the breach at short notice.”

Friend added: “I was happy with the hit-out the boys had last week against the Australian Development squad. We got exactly what we needed to out of the six games and we have a clear idea on the areas we need to sharpen up on.

“I was delighted to see Tom [Cusack] and Nick [Malouf] come through the games unscathed and they’ll add plenty to our forward options.”

Nick Cummins (knee), Greg Jeloudev (foot), Tom Lucas (knee), Henry Speight (knee) and Pama Fou (knee) were not considered for the trip north due to injury.

The playing members selected for the camp in Darwin travel on Friday.

The final 12-man squad – plus two travelling reserves – chosen by Andy Friend for the Rio 2016 Olympics will be announced publically on Thursday 14 July in Sydney.

Training squad for Darwin: Cameron Clark (Sydney NSW), Tom Cusack (Canberra ACT), Allan Fa’alava’au (Melbourne VIC), Sam Figg (Sydney NSW), Con Foley (Brisbane QLD), Lewis Holland (Queanbeyan NSW), Henry Hutchison (Sydney NSW), Ed Jenkins (Sydney NSW), Boyd Killingworth (Sydney NSW), Tom Kingston (Sydney NSW), Nick Malouf (Brisbane QLD), Pat McCutcheon (Narromine NSW), Sam Myers (Forbes NSW), Jesse Parahi (Avoca Beach NSW), John Porch (Orange NSW), James Stannard (Brisbane QLD).

Photo: Karen Watson