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Two uncapped players remain as Cheika cuts Wallabies squad

Michael Cheika and his team are under fire again. (Photo by Michael Dodge/Getty Images)
12th August, 2018
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Two of six uncapped players from Michael Cheika’s original expanded squad remain in the slimmed-down 28-man edition, and are in contention to make their debuts.

Jack Maddocks and Tom Banks have both made the cut in the squad for the first Bledisloe Cup match, which will be played next weekend.

Jordan Petaia, Billy Meakes, Folau Faingaa and Jermaine Ainsley were the four other uncapped players originally included, but have missed the cut.

Rory Arnold, Caleb Timu, Billy Meakes and Sefa Naivalu have also been cut from what was originally a 36-man squad.

Meanwhile Michael Hooper, Dane Haylett-Petty and Scott Sio have all overcome injury concerns to stay in the mix.

Cheika said the cuts would allow the remaining players to receive a more concentrated coaching experience in the leadup to Bledisloe 1.

“We’ll have some extra players in there on Monday and Tuesday, so we can get our training done and then I just think that I want to have a bit more focus on the group that’s going to play the game,” he said.

“I want the guys that are not playing in that given week to go and play some footy, whether it be Club or NRC, depending on the time of year.

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“I just think that little bit of extra focus on a smaller group of players in there can build our alignment and cohesion.

“Everyone’s focused on the one task, everyone knows what their role is.”

Wallabies squad for Bledisloe 1

Forwards
Allan Alaalatoa (23 Tests, Brumbies, 24)
Adam Coleman (23 Tests, Melbourne Rebels, 26)
Ned Hanigan (13 Tests, NSW Waratahs, 23)
Michael Hooper (c) (82 Tests, NSW Waratahs, 26)
Sekope Kepu (94 Tests, NSW Waratahs, 32)
Tolu Latu (7 Tests, NSW Waratahs, 25)
Brandon Paenga-Amosa (3 Tests, Queensland Reds, 22)
David Pocock (69 Tests, Brumbies, 30)
Tatafu Polota-Nau (82 Tests, Leicester, 33)
Tom Robertson (21 Tests, NSW Waratahs, 23)
Izack Rodda (7 Tests, Queensland Reds, 21)
Pete Samu (3 Tests, Brumbies, 26)
Rob Simmons (85 Tests, NSW Waratahs, 29)
Scott Sio (46 Tests, Brumbies, 26)
Lukhan Tui (7 Tests, Queensland Reds, 21)
Taniela Tupou (4 Tests, Queensland Reds, 22)

Backs
Tom Banks (uncapped, Brumbies, 24)
Kurtley Beale (74 Tests, NSW Waratahs, 29)
Israel Folau (65 Tests, NSW Waratahs, 29)
Bernard Foley (58 Tests, NSW Waratahs, 28)
Will Genia (90 Tests, Melbourne Rebels, 30)
Dane Haylett-Petty (21 Tests, Melbourne Rebels, 29)
Reece Hodge (27 Tests, Melbourne Rebels, 23)
Marika Koroibete (11 Tests, Melbourne Rebels, 26)
Jack Maddocks (uncapped, Melbourne Rebels, 21)
Nick Phipps (64 Tests, NSW Waratahs, 29)
Joe Powell (4 Tests, Brumbies, 24)
Matt Toomua (33 Tests, Leicester/Melbourne Rebels, 28)

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