Australia await Matt Giteau's return ahead of Rugby Championship

Wallabies are hopeful that their veteran utility back Matt Giteau will return to the side ahead of the 2016 Rugby Championship scheduled to be played in the next month.

Giteau, last played for the Wallabies during the 2015 World Final defeat to New Zealand and according to a report from AAP the 33-year-old is currently in Australia spending time with his family.

Giteau, who was named the IRB Player of the Year in 2004 missed the recently concluded series against England while Kurtley Beale (all three Tests) and Matt Toomua (first two Tests) were injured resulting in Australia head coach Michael Cheika preferring Samu Kerevi for the first two games.

Having played more than 100 Tests and 39 Rugby Championship games, the Toulon star's addition will be a big boost to the Wallabies side which suffered a 3-0 series whitewash against England.

The Australian Rugby Union also confirmed that the squad will head for a training camp in Central Coast between 8th and 12th August before taking on New Zealand in the opening game of the Rugby Championship on 20th August in Sydney.

Cheika is hoping for the training squad to make maximum use ofthe facilities available in the Central Coast as they prepare for another rigorous season.

“It’s vital for the Wallabies to continue get around the country and connect with our fans from all over Australia by staying and training in their community," he told the Australian Rugby Union's official website.

“We would have had a bit of time together before we arrive in camp, and we are very fortunate to have fantastic facilities like we have at Central Coast Stadium to prepare as best we possibly can for the upcoming Rugby Championship."