- Video
-
Club Roar
Captured a great grassroots sporting moment? We want to see it!Content Collections
The Roar Community
- Join
- Login
Michael Cheika has named his Wallabies squad for the side’s June Test series against Ireland, with a mix of regular names and inexperienced rookies to line up next month.
As expected, Michael Hooper will captain the side during the mid-year series, and he could be joined in the run-on back-row by David Pocock, who makes his return to the team after taking a year off in 2017.
Caleb Timu, Lukhan Tui and Ned Hanigan are the other back-rowers included.
Debutant Timu is likely to feature heavily during the June Tests thanks to the option he provides in the lineout and the lack of options in the back-row due to Jack Dempsey’s injury and Sean McMahon’s unavailability.
Crusaders back-rower Peter Samu was expected to be named in the squad after signing a deal to join the Brumbies in 2019, but it is not yet certain as to whether he’ll be granted a release by the NZRU, which is necessary for him to play for the Wallabies. However, Cheika did hint in the team announcement that another player could be added to the back-row group.
Having met residency requirements by living in New Zealand for three years, Samu qualifies for All Blacks selection, but the Melbourne-born forward’s move to the Brumbies would certainly indicate he doesn’t see himself playing for Steve Hansen’s side – not that he was picked in the New Zealand squad for their June Tests.
Up front, Taniela Tupou will get a chance to showcase his rampaging running game on the international stage, joining Sekope Kepu, Allan Alaalatoa, Scott Sio and Tom Robertson as the props in the squad.
Three very inexperienced hookers in Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Folau Faingaa and Jordan Uelese have been included following Stephen Moore’s retirement and Tatafu Polota-Nau’s unavailability.
However, there is no place in the squad for Tolu Latu.
Adam Coleman, Izack Rodda, Rob Simmons and Rory Arnold are the locks in the squad.
In the backs, uncapped duo Tom Banks and Jack Maddocks have been named alongside regular names Israel Folau, vice-captain Bernard Folau and Kurtley Beale.
Both Maddocks and Banks are in fine form; the former has scored eight Super Rugby tries for the Melbourne Rebels in 2018, while the latter put in an eye-catching display last weekend to help the Brumbies to a win in Pretoria.
Props: Sekope Kepu, Tom Robertson, Scott Sio, Taniela Tupou, Allan Alaalatoa
Hookers: Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Folau Faingaa and Jordan Uelese
Locks: Rory Arnold, Adam Coleman, Izack Rodda, Rob Simmons
Backrowers: Michael Hooper (c), David Pocock, Caleb Timu, Lukhan Tui, Ned Hanigan
Backs: Tom Banks, Kurtley Beale, Israel Folau, Bernard Foley, Will Genia, Dane Haylett-Petty, Reece Hodge, Samu Kerevi, Marika Koroibete, Tevita Kuridrani, Jack Maddocks, Sefa Naivalu, Nick Phipps, Joe Powell, Curtis Rona
The Wallabies’ first match against Ireland will be played on Saturday, June 9 in Brisbane before the series moves to Melbourne a week later and then finishes on June 23 in Sydney.