Matt Giteau joins Wallabies camp ahead of Rugby Championship

Wallabies star player Matt Giteau has been reported to have joined the Australian training camp in Sydney ahead of the Rugby Championship.

The 33-year-old's decision to play in the Rugby Championship comes at the expense of a two-month wage cut from his French club Toulon. Giteau will be joined by his Toulon teammate Drew Mitchell, who is currently recovering from a groin injury but is expected to be fit in time for the Rugby Championship.

Wallabies head coach Michael Cheika admitted that the process to release the Toulon pair from their club duties wasn't an easy one.

"Matt and Drew, who are in that situation, and all the lads who have come from overseas - it wasn't a straightforward chit-chat with the club owners to get them back - [the players themselves] have pushed those discussions," Cheika said.

"Players are starting to realise that it's not just about money, you've got to make the most of your career on all fronts. Achievement is why we're playing the game. I don't think anyone's playing this game for a job, not at this level."

Cheika has also included four uncapped players in the 36-man training squad which will be trimmed to 33 before the start of the tournament.

"Next week's training squad will include selected players from Canberra and we will start to look closely at the final 33 in preparation for the Central Coast camp."

Cheika has also confirmed that apart from Giteau and Mitchell, the other overseas players in Ashley-Cooper and Will Genia will also return for their national duty.

"All of our eligible European-based players expressed a desire to play for the Wallabies during The Rugby Championship and that experience is invaluable," Cheika said.

"We have a very clear purpose in this team and we are prepared to work very hard to respect that purpose."

The Wallabies will take on the All Blacks on 20th August at ANZ Stadium in the opening game of the tournament.

Wallabies squad:

Allan Alaalatoa, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Adam Coleman, Quade Cooper, Kane Douglas, Scott Fardy, Israel Folau, Bernard Foley, Nick Frisby, Will Genia, Matt Giteau, James Hanson, Dane Haylett-Petty, Reece Hodge, Michael Hooper, Rob Horne, Sekope Kepu, Samu Kerevi, Tevita Kuridrani, Ben McCalman, Sean McMahon, Drew Mitchell, Luke Morahan, Stephen Moore, Dean Mumm, Nick Phipps, David Pocock, Tatafu Polota-Nau, Tom Robertson, Rob Simmons, Scott Sio, Will Skelton, James Slipper, Toby Smith, Lopeti Timani, Matt Toomua