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?
Paulo
Roar Rookie
But Quade will want do to his own thing and Hayne will quit, to take up weightlifting for Vanuatu
Patrick Effeney
Editor
Quade Cooper and Jarryd Hayne announce synchronised swimming Olympic dream
ken
Guest
Actually Coops has got a good record against the SAFFAS..
Paulo
Roar Rookie
I'm curious about what happened to Jack Debreczeni. I haven't watched all Rebels games this year, have heard rumours his form has dropped from last year. Is this accurate, is he going through a slump? Last year I thought it was just a matter of time before he was wearing gold, but to not even make the 39 seems to go against the impression.
josh
Roar Rookie
A former AFL players makes the squad
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
I don't deny that but surely a factor is he played NZ and SA for about 20 minutes in total in 2015. How many of our players haven't looked good against the NH teams? It's playing the Boks and NZ that they get shown to be inadequate. Hell, take out NZ and Bok games and Cooper is one of our greatest ever flyhalves. The fact is that's not a full comparison of what players bring at international level, considering we played 30% of our tests against NZ and SA.
PeterK
Roar Guru
Douglas played very well in the RWC which surprised everyone
PeterK
Roar Guru
When Horwill was the caller with Simmons off the lineout fell apart as well.
PeterK
Roar Guru
Tahs need a genuine lock big time I hope Neville goes to the tahs, he would make the wallabies then :)
ken
Guest
His form has been atrocious for 8 years. .So i would say his form " hasnt " been temporary ..
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
It's not constant criticism. It's pointing out that he has not proven his test credentials in a critical element of the position. The Stormers are hardly "tough opposition". They were perceived to be by virtue of their position in the AF Conference. The fact is they have 6 wins, 4 losses and a draw from 11 games. Just over 50% W/L ratio. They drew with a team that has won a single game. Sure the Crusaders only just got home against the Force, but they got home, it was on the road wasn't it? They've also won 9 games with only 2 losses.
ken
Guest
True Kuruki ..hahaha
Jason
Guest
Touche Markus. It couldn`t be any worse than his 2013 Llons tests. That was the worst 3 tests in a row i have ever seen a lock play ( since Peter Fitzsimmons getting decked by a french dwarf in the 1990 series in oz ) P.S At least Fitzy showed some mongrel ..
Jason
Guest
Myself and my buddies used to call him Leroy " Butter Fingers " Houston when he played for us... Looks like they or he may have fixed that problem..
RobC
Roar Guru
Thanks Paddy. Go Adam Go! Ready not Ready? No Lopeti. That's on McGahan, not Check.
RobC
Roar Guru
One one of the two: - Owner of a Canadian Beer Brewery - Backup scrummie for the Brums
eagleJack
Roar Guru
Not sure of your point TWAS. The Crusaders only just beat the Force by a point. Does that make them a poor side? The Stormers in Cape Town are a tough opposition. And Folau did very well against them making 4 tackles, missing none. And I know you love your stats! After his initial poor showing against the Brumbies tackling at 50%, he is now sitting at 77% at 13. Take out the Brums game and it is 85%. Not amazing, but certainly doesn't warrant constant criticism. Particularly from someone who has stated he rarely watches the games, only the highlights.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
He has done very well, except for when he didn't. He hasn't done very well there against any quality sides though. The best side he played there against was the Stormers, who drew with the Sunwolves at home 2 weeks ago.
richard
Guest
Itoje and Kruis have the potential to be a great second row,but the best in the world off the back of one 6N? The best second row is Sam Whitelock and Brodie Retallick.
Redman
Guest
Check out folaus miss on a hooker at the 30th minute in the saders game.