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Michael Cheika has made a host of surprising inclusions for the 39-man Wallabies training squad to play England in a three-Test series next month.
Ten uncapped players have been named by Cheika, in what looks to be as much an effort to blood some new players than the real deal. Cheika has said that the squad will be trimmed back before the games against Eddie Jones’ side start.
Also in the squad are four overseas-based players, including former captain James Horwill, Leroy Houston and Taqele Naiyaravoro. The latter two are both currently plying their trade overseas for Bath and Glasgow respectively, but have signed deals with the Reds and Waratahs, meaning they’re eligible for Wallabies duty.
» SHOULD WE PICK A SQUAD, OR A TEAM?
» WE HAVE 39 WALLABIES, BUT WHO MAKES YOUR XV?
Interestingly, both have their (old) new teams ascribed to them in the Wallabies’ press release.
“We’ve been working with an initial squad of 60 players we identified, which has been reduced to 39 for this camp. We’ll trim that number down to 30 for each Test, so competition for spots is everything,” Cheika said.
“Our first week in camp will target a high intensity training attitude, building on combinations within that environment. We want to build on the identity we’ve worked hard on establishing over the past 18 months.”
“We have selected this squad with one eye on the now and one on the future and there’s a huge focus on building depth within the squad.
“For example, we want to work with three tight fives and four number 7s, looking to build that competition within that type of combination,” said Cheika.
Code-hopper Karmichael Hunt has found himself in the squad, though with 39 players it is a big number, which will be chopped to 30 before the first Test match.
Other names that stick out are the Force’s Luke Morahan, the Reds’ Eto Nabuli, and Brumbies’ youngster Joe Powell, who only earned a contract with the Super Rugby side midway through last year. He has been playing as a back-up to Tomas Cubelli in Canberra this season, with limited game time.
The scrum will be boosted by the return of Sekope Kepu from Bordeaux, who earned his exemption from ineligibility last year by making it to 60 Test matches. But there will be no Matt Giteau, Will Genia or Drew Mitchell in gold for the series.
The full squad is:
Wallabies 39-man training squad for 2016 England Series:
Allan Ala’alatoa (Brumbies)
Rory Arnold (Brumbies)
Sam Carter (Brumbies)
Adam Coleman (Western Force)
Scott Fardy (Brumbies)
Israel Folau (NSW Waratahs)
Bernard Foley (NSW Waratahs)
Nick Frisby (Queensland Reds)
Liam Gill (Queensland Reds)
James Hanson (Melbourne Rebels)
Mike Harris (Melbourne Rebels)
Dane Haylett-Petty (Western Force)
Greg Holmes (Queensland Reds)
Michael Hooper (NSW Waratahs)
Rob Horne (NSW Waratahs)
James Horwill (Harlequins)
Leroy Houston (Queensland Reds)
Karmichael Hunt (Queensland Reds)
Sekope Kepu (Bordeaux)
Samu Kerevi (Queensland Reds)
Tevita Kuridrani (Brumbies)
Christian Leali’ifano (Brumbies)
Ben McCalman (Western Force)
Sean McMahon (Melbourne Rebels)
Stephen Moore (c) (Brumbies)
Luke Morahan (Western Force)
Dean Mumm (NSW Waratahs)
Eto Nabuli (Queensland Reds)
Taqele Naiyaravoro (NSW Waratahs)
Wycliff Palu (NSW Waratahs)
Nick Phipps (NSW Waratahs)
David Pocock (Brumbies)
Tatafu Polota-Nau (NSW Waratahs)
Joe Powell (Brumbies)
Rob Simmons (Queensland Reds)
Scott Sio (Brumbies)
Will Skelton (NSW Waratahs)
James Slipper (Queensland Reds)
Toby Smith (Melbourne Rebels)
What do you make of this team Roarers? What sticks out to you as the big talking point?
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.