Rugby Australia have confirmed their 31-man Wallabies squad for the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan, with coach Michael Cheika lining up a mix of youth and experience while holding onto much of the side that finished second in The Rugby Championship.
The injury-plagued David Pocock has been given a ticket to Japan with the hopes of recovering in time for Australia’s final warm-up Test against Samoa on September 7.
Veteran Adam Ashley-Cooper has been named for his fourth World Cup, tying legend George Gregan as the only two Australians to reach the mark.
Depending on how deep Australia can run into the tournament and how much game-time Cheika gives to the Waratahs outside back, Ashley-Cooper is also just five games away from the international all-time record for most World Cup games.
At the other end of the table, 19-year-old Jordan Petaia has been given the nod as his promising future in Australian rugby continues to be nurtured by the national side despite a frustrating past 18 months battling injury.
Notable absentees from the squad include Pete Samu and Tatafu Polota-Nau, whose 14-year Wallaby career looks to be over after this omission. Tom Robertson, Tom Banks and Jack Maddocks are other capped Wallabies to have missed the lineup.
Halfback Nick Phipps has also been pushed aside after the re-emergence of Will Genia and Nic White over the last two years, with fellow No.9 Joe Powell also being left out.
Despite late calls for his inclusion, Will Skelton’s unlikely return to Australian rugby failed to come to pass.
Powell, Banks, Liam Wright, Luke Jones and Polota-Nau are still slated to travel with the squad for their training camp before the tournament as reserves but aren’t expected to make any further impact on the World Cup campaign.
Michael Hooper and Samu Kerevi have been named as captain and vice-captain respectively.
“It’s 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,” said Cheika.
“These next few weeks are about building and adding that little extra edge as a squad and we’ll be working hard to make sure we deliver on the qualities we want people to see when we run out on the field in Japan.”
Following the aforementioned warm-up against Samoa, the Wallabies will take on Fiji in the first of four group stage matches in Japan from September 21.
Forwards
Allan Alaalatoa, Rory Arnold, Adam Coleman, Jack Dempsey, Folau Fainga’a, Michael Hooper (c), Sekope Kepu, Tolu Latu, Isi Naisarani, David Pocock, Izack Rodda, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Rob Simmons, Scott Sio, James Slipper, Taniela Tupou, Jordan Uelese.
Backs
Adam Ashley-Cooper, Kurtley Beale, Bernard Foley, Will Genia, Dane Haylett-Petty, Reece Hodge, Samu Kerevi (vc), Marika Koroibete, Tevita Kuridrani, Christian Lealiifano, James O’Connor, Jordan Petaia*, Matt Toomua, Nic White.
MaM
Roar Rookie
No backup 8 to Naisarani. I know there's Pocock but not sure if Dempsey also has played 8?
PiratesRugby
Guest
What happened to Jack Maddocks?
Try Hard
Roar Rookie
Cheika is the Trump of world rugby. He loves the limelight but is well and truly out of his league. The US is in the middle of a political nightmare , just as the Wallabies are also having a nightmare due to inflated egos and poor decision making. Like Trump, Cheika and the board are not being held accountable. Come on Mickey.... Cheik-out
Realist
Guest
Petaia’s defense is even better than his attack this season. Try actually watching the two matches he played this season. He absolutely monstered some of the Highlanders in Round 1 and held his alignment well
Garry
Guest
“making a mockery” is one of Cheika’s strong suits.
lezoire
Guest
No Pete Samu either afte a good year in Super, too small?
Garry
Guest
Banks has been schooled enough in the complex Cheika game plan. Needs another 12 months.
Bobby
Roar Rookie
Maybe tackle and stick his head in tough places, now and again
Bodger
Roar Rookie
This is Pocock’s third, that’s enough experience in one player. AAC hasn’t earnt his spot and is just stopping someone else who does. Cheika is a terrible man manager, he must have told some amount of lies and BS to a lot of players. They certainly won’t be playing for the coach, unless you are AAC or DHP that is.
Jack
Guest
This year AAC is a better player and better performed this year. Seriously? Based on what evidence? AAC was an average player in a pooorly performed team. Banks was a threat against most opposition this year. He is a real fullback not a failed 10/12. DHP is a very good Rugby player but he just too slow for Test Rugby. What does Backs have to do to get a real shot? Captain Coach and play 10 for the Crusaders?
Jack
Guest
We need speed to have a chance in this WC and we have picked plodders. Cheika must think he can get players to perform at Test level better than they do a SR level, else why Dempesy over Samu and McGaffey or DHP over Banks? Due to superior motivational ability I assume. Banks must have gone to sleep in one of the confidence focus team trust sessions. Maybe AAC and DHP are really fast at training.
Brian George
Guest
Perhaps he knows his way around Kabukicho?
Greysy
Roar Rookie
Cheers Slug, thanks for picking a fight - good contribution, lots of substance there mate. I dont hate Cheika at all. He has coached well in the past. And he does make some good selection decisions - he persevered with Koroibete and thats paying off. He selected Latu this year as first choice hooker and thats paying off and proved me wrong. But he also has a record of making pretty consistently shocking selection decisions. And I reckon AAC is one of them. Cheika brought him back on the end of year tour last year when there was no selection panel and without any justification. So its my guess that AAC is probably his pick again this time, because he certainly has not done anything playing wise to justify the decision.
Brian George
Guest
He said "pundit".
Lux Interior
Roar Rookie
7 midfielders, 1 specialist fullback and 1 genuine winger. And Kurtley.
Richie
Roar Rookie
AAC, Beale, Foley, Toomua, DHP, Hodge, Genia. That’s half the backs that have been unable to do it in the past. They’re older and slower and past there prime. These are facts! I get that you need experience in a squad but seriously, half the backs squad? Speed to burn left behind.
Shanky
Guest
Petaia is a raw kid with evident defensive frailties at Super level. But he’s preferred?
Shanky
Guest
The idea that the Coach (who is held accountable for the results) doesn’t get the team he wants, is even less plausible
Oblonsky‘s Other Pun
Roar Guru
There's no evidence for that. The only evidence is that, for whatever reason, Cheik does not rate Banks. Actually, it is something supported by all evidence. There has never been any claims from any of the selectors or RA that it is a democracy. All the discussion has been about having 'discussions' and providing 'advice to Cheika'. Always, it has been implied or even affirmed that Cheila will get the team he wants.
terrykidd
Roar Pro
again that is something we just don't know Fionn ..... bottom line is that Banks is not selected ..... imo it must be something about his training or team/squad dynamics