Israel Folau will miss Australia's end-of-season tour and will take a complete break from rugby after next weekend's clash with the Barbarians, coach Michael Cheika has confirmed.
Folau had the opportunity to play club rugby in Japan over the summer as part of his flexible contract with the Australian Rugby Union.
But after a discussion with Cheika several months ago, the 28-year-old fullback decided it was in his best interests to step away from the game completely - meaning he won't be involved in the Wallabies' test matches against Japan, Wales, England and Scotland to finish the season.
Before taking a break, Folau will suit up for the Wallabies against the Barbarians at Sydney's Allianz Stadium on Saturday night.
Cheika has brought in more fresh blood for the clash, with James Slipper and Ben McCalman named to make their long-awaited test returns.
Slipper, McCalman, Kane Douglas and Kyle Godwin have been included in the 28-man squad for the match, along with young Queensland back-rower Liam Wright who earns his first call-up.
But 13 players from the team that defeated New Zealand 23-18 in Saturday night's third Bledisloe Cup Test victory will be rested - including Rob Simmons, who has been cleared of any major injury after he was taken from the field in the second half on a stretcher.
Captain Michael Hooper, the in-form Kurtley Beale and second-row enforcer Rob Simmons are among the others who will get a week off ahead of the end-of-year tour of Japan and Europe.
The squad will gather in Sydney later on Sunday ahead of the match against the Barbarians, which will be Australia's last on home soil for 2017.
At a glance:
Wallabies squad to play the Barbarians
Forwards: Jermaine Ainsley, Allan Alaalatoa, Rory Arnold, Jack Dempsey, Kane Douglas, Folau Fainga'a, Tetera Faulkner, Ned Hanigan, Ben McCalman, Stephen Moore, Tom Robertson, James Slipper, Lopeti Timani, Lukhan Tui, Jordan Uelese, Liam Wright.
Backs: Israel Folau, Kyle Godwin, Jake Gordon, Karmichael Hunt, Samu Kerevi, Billy Meakes, Duncan Paia'aua, Izaia Perese, Nick Phipps, Joe Powell, Curtis Rona, Henry Speight.