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The Wallabies have announced their full training squad for the 2015 Rugby Championship.
40 players have been named for Australia, including Matt Giteau and Drew Mitchell, who are currently plying their trade at overseas clubs.
George Smith hasn’t been selected, along with Karmichael Hunt and James O’Connor.
Uncapped players named include monster lock Rory Arnold, prop Toby Smith, dynamic Waratahs winger Taqele Naiyarovoro and punishing Reds inside centre Samu Kerevi.
Returning flanker/lock Dean Mumm has been included, while Liam Gill, Luke Jones and Jake Schatz miss out on selection.
On the whole, the squad nods towards experience being a factor in selection, with James Horwill, Dave Dennis and Mitchell and Giteau all included.
Greg Holmes also gets another chance to press for selection after a strong Super Rugby season.
Wallabies coach Michael Cheika said he wanted to test the combinations before cutting his squad down for the international season.
“The extended squad gives the new coaching staff a great opportunity to observe and test some new combinations.”
“Off the field, this group has been working very hard, I am very pleased for our new players entering the Wallabies environment.
“We are fortunate enough to see some experience enter the squad from both Super Rugby and overseas. It is important we get them connected to the Wallabies culture as soon as possible.”
“We are expecting a pretty physical week ahead in Caloundra, and we will look to shave down the squad closer to Test week when we arrive in Brisbane to take on the Springboks.”
The ARU’s press release mentions Sam Carter being included in the squad, but he wasn’t included on the list.
Wallabies squad for 2015 Rugby Championship:
Rory Arnold, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Kurtley Beale, Quade Cooper, Dave Dennis, James Hanson, Scott Fardy, Tetera Faulkner, Israel Folau, Bernard Foley, Will Genia, Matt Giteau, Scott Higginbotham, Greg Holmes, Michael Hooper, Rob Horne, James Horwill, Samu Kerevi, Sekope Kepu, Tevita Kuridrani, Christian Lealiifano, Stephen Moore, Drew Mitchell, Wycliff Palu, Ben McCalman, Sean McMahon, Dean Mumm, Taqele Naiyaravoro, Nick Phipps, David Pocock, Tatafu Polota-Nau, Scott Sio, Rob Simmons, Will Skelton, James Slipper, Toby Smith, Henry Speight, Matt Toomua, Joe Tomane, Nic White
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.