The Wallabies have named a strong 31-man squad for the opening round of The Rugby Championship against the Springboks at Suncorp Stadium on July 18.
Following a gruelling five-day camp at Sunshine Coast Stadium, the squad will assemble in Brisbane this Sunday 12 July.
The 31-man squad, captained by hooker Stephen Moore, boasts two non-capped players, with Rory Arnold and Taqele Naiyaravoro both closing in on their first Wallabies appearance.
Notable names too miss out on selection in the squad include Number 8 Wycliff Palu and inside back Christian Lealiifano.
Uncapped players Samu Kerevi and Toby Smith also drops out the squad, with Matt Giteau and Drew Mitchell retained.
Wallabies coach Michael Cheika said: “There were obviously some really tough calls to make. The players who have not been named in this 31-man squad will still remain part of the group and will continue to contribute. We have also taken the opportunity to rest players, as we know it is going to be a long international season.
“I have had a good chance to test some combinations and see some players in a high intensity environment. It’s given me great confidence knowing we’re establishing some depth in key positions.
“There’s a certain thing about Queensland and how they support their teams, and in particular the Wallabies. Every time you go to Suncorp Stadium there’s always an energy and plenty of gold around the ground, and I know that will be no different for the Springboks game.”
Players not travelling with the squad to Brisbane will remain part of the Wallabies wider training squad, and will continue training with their respective Super Rugby teams.
Selected players will join the squad in Sydney in the lead-up to the Wallabies’ first Bledisloe Cup match in Sydney on August 8.
31-man Wallabies Squad
Rory Arnold (Brumbies)*
Adam Ashley-Cooper (Waratahs)
Kurtley Beale (Waratahs)
Quade Cooper (Reds)
Scott Fardy (Brumbies)
Israel Folau (Waratahs)
Bernard Foley (Waratahs)
Will Genia (Reds)
Matt Giteau (Toulon)
Scott Higginbotham (Rebels)
Greg Holmes (Reds)
Michael Hooper (Waratahs)
Rob Horne (Waratahs)
James Horwill (Reds)
Sekope Kepu (Waratahs)
Tevita Kuridrani (Brumbies)
Stephen Moore – Captain (Brumbies)
Drew Mitchell (Toulon)
Ben McCalman (Force)
Sean McMahon (Rebels)
Dean Mumm (Waratahs)
Taqele Naiyaravoro (Waratahs)*
Nick Phipps (Waratahs)
David Pocock (Brumbies)
Tatafu Polota-Nau (Waratahs)
Scott Sio (Brumbies)
Rob Simmons (Reds)
Will Skelton (Waratahs)
James Slipper (Reds)
Matt Toomua (Brumbies)
Joe Tomane (Brumbies)
Suzy Poison
Guest
I think Meyer will. Jean De Villiers is NOT touring. They rather want him to get match fit by playing 80min in club games, instead of travelling to Brisbane and playing off the bench. The result against a cobbled together World 15 who only had two practise sessions was to be expected. But a word of warning to Aussies thinking a win against Boks at Brissie is a foregone conclusion, Meyer has a settled team. Willie looks to back in form. Bok tight five is good, back three is good and Pollard is learning with every game. Also that World 15 had Carl Hayman and Bakkies Botha in their side, whilst both are on the downward side of the curve, Australia has never, ever had a prop as good as Carl Hayman, and never had a number four bruising lock as good as Bakkies. Bakkies went off bruised and battered by Boks. Concussed by a no arms tackle from Jannie Du Plessis. Rare to see him manhandled like that.
ThugbyFan
Guest
A scary good team Harry, and damn fast back row. It might force Australia to play it tight so our plodders can compete at the breakdowns. I find the game in Brissie the most interesting as either side can win and both are experimenting with new formats and tactics. Goooo the Wally-Bees. :)
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Just 4 of the top 5 ranked nations.
Peter Hughes
Guest
There's no statement from ARU or Cheika saying this - you're just assuming.
Birdy
Guest
I've watched a number of matches, including one international that springs to mind in which a makeshift number 9 was in - I've yet to see it end well.
PeterK
Roar Guru
actually Kerevi would be better off starting. That way the 2nd playmaker can cut loose in the secondhalf when players are more tired and there are more open spaces. Also they would not be tired from having big men run at them all game. If you want your 2nd playmaker system to have more time then start Kerevi just for 30 mins then have Gits or Toomua come on for last 50 mins. I agree I really wanted to see how it would go as an alternative with good players around him.
IronAwe
Guest
I know they are opting for the 2nd playmaker, but thought Kerevi would be good in the second half for impact. He would give some much needed momentum late in the game. Really wanted to see him play in a better setup.
cs
Guest
Kurtley had a good season, admittedly not as wonderful as last season, mainly I suspect because everyone was right on to him in 2015. It took a while for him to work out his time and space under the extra attention, but he looked to be coming right back into his own again in the last few games.
James
Guest
You will find that in the article that Deans was going to name 8 New Zealanders in the team not 8 All Blacks. Also the 4 players named are former not current All Blacks - Hayman hasn't played for the All Blacks for 7 years
Archer
Guest
PeterK. Last time Gits played for us (was at 10) with a backline that included: Phipps (on debut), McCabe (first run on start), Rob Davies (on debut) and Gerrard (first test after a few years absence). At least this backline will be more experienced if he gets on the park. But our 9, 10 and 12 all need the forwards to play well. Cheika seems to have worked out his first and second front rows. The rest are still a WIP. Hopefully we'll know the answers after this RC.
PeterK
Roar Guru
Smith will miss the Argentina game as well. He is joining in August, the latest he has to be released is 15th August which is the day of the 2nd Bledisloe game. I am hoping he will be released in time for the first NZ game.
Connor33
Guest
Yes, the price sent Toomua straight in. Lambs to the slaughter when he should have been eased in to the 10 role as Larkham was against a very poor, 76 point, English team. He could still be a great 10. But ewan put him back 5 years. Bloody disgraceful.
PeterK
Roar Guru
I am talking about for training purposes, not the named 23. AAC is there for 13. Cheika has retained 2 complete sides, probably for contested full contact sessions.
PeterK
Roar Guru
the best saffas are in europe
PeterK
Roar Guru
Glenn - Because Toomua is in real poor form. I would love to see how good Gits is against a top side like the Boks. Even if he goes well against the Pumas would that rate much? We know what Toomua can do, I have hope that Gits can do a lot more so I want to see him start. If he does not perform fine drop him (and bring back Kerevi !) .
PeterK
Roar Guru
I wonder how many of those picked against the world xv which is really just a barbarians side will play against the Wallabies.
andrew
Guest
How about Fardy or Mumm at 2 in the line out, Skelton at 3, Arnold or Simmons at 4, Higgers at the back. Skelton can lift 2 or 4. Some nice line out options, balanced back row, keeps skelton in with his "unique set of skills", and pretty good sized pack. I am sure Mcmahon will ultimately make way for Hansen, and a back (probably Taqele) for another prop. Speight (who is suspended and on compassionate leave) will come back in (prob for Tomane or Mitchell) I could be wrong but isn't this a squad for "only" the first 2 tests? Maybe he will name a slightly different squad for the following two tests and give someone like Kerevi a go, as well as Hansen, Speight, Toby Smith, and Palu.
Connor33
Guest
I'm not adverse to this. 6:2 is the way to go in the modern game.
George
Guest
Spot on
George
Guest
Yhry have Ashley-Cooper in the side who is an excellent & proven cover at fullback. How silly to have Beale as cover for fullback when he can't tackle.