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Michael Cheika has announced the 39 man ‘training’ squad for the England Test series with Sekope Kepu, James Horwill returning from overseas as well as Taqele Naiyaravoro and former Reds No 8 Leroy Houston.
Uncapped Alan Ala’alatoa, Dane Haylett-Petty and second-string Brumbies halfback Joe Powell are other new faces along with Reds backs Nick Frisby, Karmichael Hunt, Eto Nabuli and Samu Kerevi. Adam Coleman and Rory Arnold also get opportunities for a position in the second row.
» WALLABIES SQUAD FOR ENGLAND TEST
» SHOULD WE PICK A SQUAD, OR A TEAM?
Front Row
Alan Ala’alatoa (Brumbies) Loose head
Scott Sio (Brumbies) Loosehead
Sekope Kepu (Bordeaux) Tighthead
Greg Holmes (Queensland Reds) Tighthead
James Slipper (Queensland Reds) Loosehead
Toby Smith (Melbourne Rebels) Loosehead
Tatafu Polota-Nau (NSW Waratahs) Hooker
Stephen Moore (c) (Brumbies) Hooker
James Hanson (Melbourne Rebels) Hooker
Second Row
Rory Arnold (Brumbies)
Sam Carter (Brumbies)
Adam Coleman (Western Force)
Dean Mumm (NSW Waratahs)
Will Skelton (NSW Waratahs)
James Horwill (Harlequins)
Rob Simmons (Queensland Reds)
Back Row
Scott Fardy (Brumbies)
Leroy Houston (Queensland Reds)
Liam Gill (Queensland Reds)
Ben McCalman (Western Force)
Sean McMahon (Melbourne Rebels)
Wycliff Palu (NSW Waratahs)
Michael Hooper (NSW Waratahs)
David Pocock (Brumbies)
Scrumhalf
Nick Frisby (Queensland Reds)
Nick Phipps (NSW Waratahs)
Joe Powell (Brumbies)
Inside Backs
Mike Harris (Melbourne Rebels)
Bernard Foley (NSW Waratahs)
Christian Leali’ifano (Brumbies)
Outside backs
Dane Haylett-Petty (Western Force)
Israel Folau (NSW Waratahs)
Rob Horne (NSW Waratahs)
Taqele Naiyaravoro (NSW Waratahs)
Karmichael Hunt (Queensland Reds)
Samu Kerevi (Queensland Reds)
Eto Nabuli (Queensland Reds)
Tevita Kuridrani (Brumbies)
Luke Morahan (Western Force)
The squad offers numerous combinations – a number of the backs I’ve classified as outside backs could be utilised closer in, and likewise Mike Harris could be pushed back to fullback. No doubt Michael Cheika will have fun playing with these combinations.
A few things the squad perhaps hints at (or promises?).
We are for speed on one wing, with a big line breaker on the other.
A selection headache in the centres – trying to fit Samu Kerevi and Israel Folau in the backline is maybe a good headache to have!
Cheika still has his old faithfuls in squad, McCalman, Horne, Palu, Mumm – so if new combinations don’t look like paying dividends he has some fallbacks.
There are some project players, particularly outside backs, as well as Joe Powell, Alan Ala’alatoa and Leroy Houston.
If I was to guess a squad for the first Test against England in Brisbane it would look something like this:
1. Sio
2. Moore
3. Holmes
4. James Horwill
5. Rob Simmons
6. Scott Fardy
7. Michael Hooper
8. David Pocock
9. Nick Phipps
10. Bernard Foley
11. Luke Morahan
12. Christian Leali’ifano
13. Israel Folau
14. Taqele Naiyaravoro
15. Karmichael Hunt
16. Tatafu Polota-Nau
17. James Slipper
18 Sekope Kepu
19. Dean Mumm
20. Ben McCalman
21. Nick Frisby
22. Mike Harris
23. Samu Kerevi
I doubt Cheika will be more adventurous with selections but the following team would be worth watching –
1. Sio
2. Moore
3. Holmes
4. Adam Coleman
5. Rob Simmons
6. David Pocock
7. Liam Gill
8. Leroy Houston
9. Nick Phipps
10. Bernard Foley
11. Luke Morahan
12. Christian Leali’ifano
13. Samu Kerevi
14. Taqele Naiyaravoro
15. Israel Folau
16. James Hansen
17. James Slipper
18 Sekope Kepu
19. Will Skelton
20. Michael Hooper
21. Nick Frisby
22. Karmichael Hunt
23. Dane Haylett-Petty
The only thing for certain is Michael Cheika’s selection for the Brisbane Test is going to generate much interest on the Roar website!
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.