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The Wallabies squad to travel to the 2015 Rugby World Cup held in England and Wales has been announced, with Stephen Moore to lead Australia at the tournament.
Michael Cheika has largely stuck solid with the squad that won him the Rugby Championship after victories over South Africa, Argentina, and New Zealand.
Moore will captain the squad, alongside vice captains Adam Ashley-Cooper and Michael Hooper.
A poor game for some Wallabies at Eden Park against the All Blacks hasn’t cost them their spots in the squad, with most of that side retained. Nic White was the one omitted from the last match against New Zealand.
Rebel Sean McMahon has been included as cover for the flankers, with Wycliff Palu and Ben McCalman preferred over Scott Higginbotham as number 8s.
Newly-signed Reds player Kane Douglas will also make the journey, along with Drew Mitchell and Matt Giteau, who play their club rugby in France.
Reds’ halves pairing Quade Cooper and Will Genia will both travel to England, along with fellow halves Matt Toomua, Nick Phipps and Bernard Foley.
As well as only taking two halfbacks, there are two specialist hookers chosen, with James Hanson not picked to travel.
James Horwill will also be disappointed not to be making the trip, after performing solidly in the Rugby Championship.
Your 31-man #Wallabies team heading to #London! #RWC2015 pic.twitter.com/V3QBgtj0WP
— Wallabies (@Wallabies) August 21, 2015
Cheika said was quick to thank the players who contributed during the Rugby Championship but didn’t get the nod for the World Cup.
“Firstly, I would like to thank all of the players who have contributed to the Wallabies’ Rugby Championship and Bledisloe Cup campaigns this season,” Cheika said.
“We’ve become a really tight group and it was a very difficult process in picking only 31 players, but I know each player selected will travel to England with the full support of those teammates who won’t board the flight.
“Our primary focus throughout the Super Rugby competition, The Rugby Championship and Bledisloe Cup was to select a balanced squad between youth, experience and form and this squad certainly delivers on this.
“It’s also important that we select a squad that will handle the tournament play and our draw in particular at the Rugby World Cup, as well as maintain a strong competition for places in the team.
“The first part of the year during the Super Rugby Season, we worked hard at building relationships and strong foundations, and during The Rugby Championship we wanted to continue to improve and play a brand of Rugby that Australia could be proud of and get every player contributing towards the outcome.
“It’s essential that we continue to improve over the next four weeks as a squad and we’ll be working hard to make sure we deliver on the qualities we want people to see in the Wallabies team of 2015.”
The team travels to the USA to play the Eagles as part of their preparations before the Cup, then heads to England.
“We’ve selected a wider training squad including an extra 10 players who will train alongside the squad prior to our departure from the USA to England,” said Cheika.
“Like they’ve done all year, these players will play a huge role in the team’s preparation.”
“We have a great opportunity in the coming month to work hard and make some gains before we take on a very impressive USA outfit ahead of our opening World Cup match against Fiji.”
The Wallabies will also take Sam Carter, Dave Dennis, Tetera Faulkner, James Hanson, Scott Higginbotham, James Horwill, Samu Kerevi, Christian Lealiifano, Taqele Naiyaravoro and Nic White to tour the USA.
Forwards:
Hookers
Stephen Moore – (c) (96 Tests)
Tatafu Polota-Nau (53 Tests)
Props
Greg Holmes (17 Tests)
Sekope Kepu (56 Tests)
Scott Sio (9 Tests)
James Slipper (66 Tests)
Toby Smith (uncapped)
Locks
Kane Douglas (15 Tests)
Dean Mumm (36 Tests)
Rob Simmons (52 Tests)
Will Skelton (11 Tests)
Backrow
Scott Fardy (24 Tests)
Michael Hooper – VC (45 Tests)
Ben McCalman (40 Tests)
Sean McMahon (3 Tests)
Wycliff Palu (55 Tests)
David Pocock (50 Tests)
Scrumhalves
Will Genia (59 Tests)
Nick Phipps (31 Tests)
Flyhalves
Quade Cooper (55 Tests)
Bernard Foley (17 Tests)
Inside backs
Kurtley Beale (52 Tests)
Matt Giteau (95 Tests)
Matt Toomua (25 Tests)
Outside backs
Adam Ashley-Cooper – VC (108 Tests)
Israel Folau (33 Tests)
Rob Horne (26 Tests)
Drew Mitchell (65 Tests)
Henry Speight (3 Tests)
Joe Tomane (15 Tests)
Tevita Kuridrani (24 Tests)
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.