The Wallabies have announced a 34-man train-on squad to spend a week in Japan ahead of their Spring Tour, with veteran back Adam Ashley-Cooper earning a recall to the national set-up.
Currently playing in Japan for the Kobe Steelers, the 34-year-old, who has 116 caps to his name, hasn’t been sighted in a Wallabies squad since 2016, but injuries to Reece Hodge (ankle) and Tevita Kuridrani (pectoral) have paved the way for him to regain a spot.
Cheika was making no promises about Ashley-Cooper going to Europe, though, saying he would have to train his way into the team.
“Adam will train with us, we’ll see where he’s at. He’s come on the tour with us to be available for selection, he’s not coming for a holiday,” said Cheika.
“His experience is important and also just his versatility, his ability to cover a few positions. With him and then a guy like Jordan, it’s probably a good balance. We need a couple of extra backs here on the trip.”
The move into the Australian train-on squad could add to the speculation that the utility back will re-join the Waratahs from next season, although no move has been confirmed at this stage.
Also added to the squad is youngster Jordan Petaia. The 18-year-old was a breakout star in Super Rugby for the Reds, and despite a lack of experience, Cheika said Petaia had been picked with an eye to the World Cup.
“Jordan has just got a lot of good touches. He’s a good lad, he wants to succeed, he wants to do the work, he’s eager,” said Cheika.
“Having him here with us on these next few weeks will give him an idea of what’s required at the level and give him a chance to make a play for the World Cup squad.”
Fellow uncapped players Jed Holloway and Jake Gordon will also spend a week in Japan, while Rob Valenti has been included as a development player to round out the squad.
After missing Bledisloe 3 through club rugby commitments, Matt Toomua will rejoin the squad as well for the training camp. The back, who currently plays for the Leicester Tigers ahead of his switch to the Melbourne Rebels next year, will be a valuable addition for the Wallabies
While the Spring Tour will include three matches against Wales, Italy and England, the training camp will be held in Odawara, Japan, where the Wallabies will be based for the 2019 World Cup.
The squad will be trimmed before Australia depart for Europe on Saturday ahead of their first game against Wales on November 11.
Forwards
Jermaine Ainsley (1 Test, Melbourne Rebels)
Allan Alaalatoa (30 Tests, Brumbies)
Rory Arnold (19 Tests , Brumbies)
Adam Coleman (28 Tests, Melbourne Rebels)
Jack Dempsey (7 Tests, NSW Waratahs)
Folau Fainga’a (6 Tests, Brumbies)
Ned Hanigan (18 Tests, NSW Waratahs)
Jed Holloway (uncapped, NSW Waratahs)
Michael Hooper (c) (88 Tests, NSW Waratahs)
Sekope Kepu (100 Tests, NSW Waratahs)
Tolu Latu (10 Tests, NSW Waratahs)
Brandon Paenga-Amosa (4 Tests, Queensland Reds)
David Pocock (75 Tests, Brumbies)
Izack Rodda (14 Tests, Queensland Reds)
Rob Simmons (91 Tests, NSW Waratahs)
Pete Samu (7 Tests, Brumbies)
Scott Sio (52 Tests, Brumbies)
Taniela Tupou (9 Tests, Queensland Reds)
Backs
Adam Ashley-Cooper (116, Kobe Steelers)
Tom Banks (3 Tests, Brumbies)
Kurtley Beale (81 Tests, NSW Waratahs)
Israel Folau (70 Tests, NSW Waratahs)
Bernard Foley (65 Tests, NSW Waratahs)
Will Genia (97 Tests, Melbourne Rebels)
Jake Gordon (uncapped, NSW Waratahs)
Dane Haylett-Petty (28 Tests, Melbourne Rebels)
Samu Kerevi (22 Tests, Queensland Reds)
Marika Koroibete (18 Tests, Melbourne Rebels)
Jack Maddocks (5 Tests, Melbourne Rebels)
Sefa Naivalu (8 Tests, Melbourne Rebels)
Jordan Petaia (uncapped, Queensladn Reds)
Nick Phipps (70 Tests, NSW Waratahs)
Matt Toomua (39, Leicester Tigers/Melbourne Rebels)
Development Player
Rob Valetini (uncapped, Brumbies)
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
“Cooper may have be the most skilful but his ship has sailed” Really? When was that exactly?
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
Marc, if you are correct, and I think you are, then Cheika has fiddled while Rome has burned for 4 years. Quade may or may not have cut the mustard, or he may have had to hand over the reins to a Stewart or a Maddocks, or .Bernard when in form...? But the essential issue is that we would have ‘set up the siphon’ with a 10 with a full (or fuller) set of attack skills. Such a full set of skills IMO would set up flow in the 10 attack channel and give the rest of the team some genuine attack opportunity. As it has been for 4 years we have pushed a courageous and committed utility back into a role he he partially skilled to carry out. Bernard must be one of the most overworked 10’s in the world. There is never anyone on the bench, or in the squad to replace him. It beggars belief.
MitchO
Guest
Hi Riddler, The Japanese champions (Panasonic) took a full strength team to play WSR against the Western Force and got beat. It was a good game. Plenty of points scored. Western Force rightfully finished top 4 in the NRC but basically at least the top four NRC teams are equal to the best in Japan. Personally I don't see how Cooper can be sharp enough which I think the point you are making coz the English, Welsh and Italian test teams will be all over the 10 like a soup sandwich and with good line speed. But Cooper has played plenty of test footy. He probably has the muscle memory to fake it if he comes off the bench. A crime to pick AAC over Rona and in particular English though and frankly nearly pointless picking Pete Samu because he is the wrong size and shape. Pocock and Hooper are the best back up for each other. Holloway, Dempsey, Timu and even Gus need a shot.
Olly
Guest
JOC will be in the side RWC time. I have no doubts about that. Cheika 101 for world cups, bring players into the squad coached by other coaches to win him games. Let's see which Australian team picks him up late in the season. A token Force player just to be eligible is my guess.
Tuc Du Nard
Roar Rookie
Why isn't Hamish Stuart going when we clearly have a lack of depth at 10? I reckon he's Foleys backup. Why not take him? He's better now and they took him as a development guy last year.
Olly
Guest
Agree that Kerevi is best at 12. My ideal line up is 10. Toomua 12 Kerevi and 13 TK for the world cup. Best part of this is the 12 and 13 can swap as needed to change the attack shape. This is the lineup for the RWC. We can't out speed or out fitness the All Blacks and we seem to do well when we get direct. Beale to the Bench as an impact player if needed. He has to many weakness in his game to be a run on. Izzy to stay on the wing with DHP at 15. 11 I would like to see more of Banks at test level to see if he can deliver on the big stage.
Kirky
Roar Rookie
MHO1, There's still a couple of Two Dads cohorts who were involved in the conspiracy to get rid of Deans and eventually McKenzie playing for the Wallabies right now! ~ could be the catalyst for Two Dads getting back in, wouldn't surprise me at all!
Kirky
Roar Rookie
Haven't seen the best of Pete Samu yet as he's in out, in out, dunno' where he's at, but I can assure you he is a very good player and if he's good enough to play for the Crusaders then he should be good enough for the Wallabies!
Kirky
Roar Rookie
Folau at Number 8, he has the ideal attributes long and lanky lean, only thing is he's have to learn how to tackle ~ they'd have to find a Fullback, but how's about Foley there? ~ Cheika's love affair with Beale will ensure he gets a game so if so put him at Fullback, can't do much harm there and one thing he does have is a good boot, not always on target but he can put them out when need be!
Kirky
Roar Rookie
Jez! I doubt there could a better set up than that one, Beale on the bench or right out, he's a liability particularly if you want straight running go forward ball! Like that young Maori boy Petaia, he's raw but has exuberant youth and for once Cheika has done the right thing, bring in a new and up and comer, ~ personally I'd rather see a bunch of keen young fullas' playing well than bringing in dinosaurs ala' AAC, that is really an insult to any up and comers!
PJ
Guest
Spot on Rah Rah, Kerevi is only a 12, Petaia is a genuine 13 and FAR superior even at his age to both Kerevi & Izzy. Beale is at best utilised as a bench utility covering 10/12/11/15 with Gordon as the reserve 9.
jeznez
Roar Guru
I've only restricted myself to those within his squad so while unrealistic it is at least possible!
Ralph
Roar Guru
OMG, it's back to future all 'round.
Neil Back
Roar Rookie
You lot think you've anything to worry about with AAC rejoining the fold? Phuff. Eddie just pulled Will Carling into the England mentoring group. Given EJ's apparent myopia concerning players in form and the ever-growing absentee list, he might just chuck him a shirt.
Oblonsky‘s Other Pun
Roar Guru
That'd be my preference (Jez - well, excluding Quade's return!) but I was trying to go with backlines that Cheika may realistically pick. Sadly, Cheika seems to view Toomua only as a 12.
Stin
Roar Rookie
And Kerevi back in too.
Stin
Roar Rookie
Italy’s is a great opportunity to throw some new faces in surely?!! Valentini is a beast. Petaia potential game breaker. Dempsey has a great all round game and invariably gets over gain line. Hooker is an issue though if you ask me. Uluese hopefully will push through again next year. I thought Arnold’s gain line ability on the weekend was excellent too.
jeznez
Roar Guru
As a player sure, personality questionable but the major things is that with only 44 caps for the Wallabies, Rugby Australia would have to change their eligibility rules if they were to pick him.
Smiggle Jiggle
Roar Guru
Wouldn't JOC be a better option to take on tour? I'm sure he would be a better utility backup on the bench than any player we have. can cover wing/fb and possible centre, and can kick. Far better option than no pass ACC
jeznez
Roar Guru
Gold!