Wallabies coach Dave Rennie has unveiled a 38-man Wallabies squad for the upcoming home series against France.
The future is now for Australian rugby, with eleven uncapped players in the frame to make their debut in the three-Test series.
Rebels rising star Andrew Kellaway is one of the biggest bolters, following a promising season for the struggling Melbourne-based side. Lalakai Foketi is another surprise inclusion, with his form at the back end of the season for the Waratahs seeing him named.
Rennie has also rolled the dice on a number of injured players in the extended squad, with James O’Connor, Matt To’omua, Reece Hodge and James Slipper all named despite missing the final round of Super Rugby Trans-Tasman. Izaia Perese has also been selected for his Wallabies debut, despite suffering a dislocated shoulder in the Waratahs’ loss to the Chiefs on Saturday night.
The news isn’t as good for Jordan Petaia, however, with the quad injury that has kept him out of the entire Super Rugby Trans-Tasman tournament enough to rule him out.
“Obviously the squad is a bit bigger than what we would normally have but we had to consider how we will handle the rigours of the Series against France,” Rennie said in a statement.
“We’ll get together on Tuesday and then start our preparations in earnest for what promises to be a really exciting Series against a side that’s at the top of its game.”
Lachlan Swinton hasn’t paid the price for his red card in the same match, though with a suspension looming, he remains in doubt for the series.
Reds prop Brandon Paenga-Amosa has been named, despite speculation his impending move to France could see him on the chopping block. The same goes for Rebels star Marika Koroibete, who is expected to sign with a Japanese club for next season.
Sitaleki Timani has also made a stunning return to international rugby, having last played for the Wallabies on their 2013 Spring Tour to Scotland, almost 3000 days ago.
Despite their impressive season, Timani is one of just two players from the Western Force that have made the cut, the other debutant hooker Feleti Kaitu’u.
A winless season hasn’t stopped Rennie from naming six Waratahs for July’s Tests: captain Michael Hooper, Angus Bell, Swinton, new duo Foketi and Perese and Tahs skipper Jake Gordon. Gordon has been picked despite a knee injury that ruled him out of the end of the Super Rugby Trans-Tasman tournament, and remains in doubt for the first Test at least.
Wallabies squad
Props: Allan Alaalatoa, Angus Bell, Pone Fa’amausili, Scott Sio, James Slipper, Taniela Tupou (6)
Hookers: Feleti Kaitu’u, Lachlan Lonergan, Brandon Paenga-Amosa (3)
Second-rowers: Matt Philip, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Darcy Swain, Sitaleki Timani (4)
Loose forwards: Michael Hooper (c), Rob Leota, Fraser McReight, Isi Naisarani, Lachie Swinton, Rob Valetini, Michael Wells, Harry Wilson (8)
Halfbacks: Jake Gordon, Tate McDermott, Nic White (3)
Five-eighths: Noah Lolesio, James O’Connor (2)
Centres: Lalakai Foketi, Len Ikitau, Hunter Paisami, Izaia Perese, Matt To’omua (5)
Outside backs: Tom Banks, Filipo Daugunu, Reece Hodge, Andrew Kellaway, Marika Koroibete, Andy Muirhead, Tom Wright (7)
The first Test will take place at the SCG on July 7.
JC
Roar Rookie
Wright was probably a little unlucky to miss out, FF. Looks like they preferred Michael Wells as their versatile backrower but that doesn't mean Wright won't come back into the picture later in the Test season if there are injuries or form slumps.
Matt
Guest
" with Hannigan in the background if needed " That sentence scares me. Surely we have someone who can play 4/6 as Hanigan has proven he cannot.
FrancisF
Roar Pro
Why was Liam Wright not in the Wallabies call-up? Bad move. Liam Wright is like a raw diamond that will shine bright with continued polishing at training.
Ex force fan
Guest
Proximity breeds familiarity.
Jon
Roar Rookie
The most disappointing thing for me is Hooper is still captain. I was hoping he’d refresh the leadership after some long dire years, particularly as the short season last year saw Hooper making the same poor decisions due to the influence of the previous coach and his mentality that might have cost a win or two. Not sure if it is a reflection on Rennie, the lack of quality leadership material in the current crop or maybe a bit of both. As for some of the other players, the Wallabies lack the “easier” test matches against lower ranked nations they often had in the past. Not as many games means they can’t blood and test fringe and new players as easily as before. Rather that the seemingly stranger selections happen here against the French and that in the RC we field a more coherent team.
Kevin Kranston
Guest
Oh stop with the Bell nonsense, he cant even hold a scrum up.
Obes
Guest
I always knew Rennie was on the take.Last years bizzarre selections and his epic first year failure as a test coach had me concerned.Now with this horrendous squad and Hooper still captain it has been confirmed.
Rugby wizard
Guest
Looking at the players available for the French already without the losing semi finalists shows massive strength. TheForwards Etrllard,Barlot,Geraci,Taofifenua,Willemse,Bamba(huge star of the future),Gros,Harouas,Cretin,Fischer(under 20 star),Macalou,Ollivon(Captain),Jelonch,Pesenti. The Backs Serin,Couiloud(talented young scrumhalf who could develope into a better 9 than Duponte),Carbonnel,Bouthier,Hamdaoui,Heriteau,Vincent(the general),Barassi,Delbouis(Star quality),Cordin,Etien(speedfreak),Ngamdebe(speedfreak),Penaud(the complete winger),Rattez,Villliere. All have been involved with the french national team since 2020.
HiKa
Roar Rookie
More so if Hodge's fitness isn't right. And good luck to him. He's been around a while and has stuck at it. A mated pointed out that Kellaway is actually heavier than any of the other outside backs in the squad or near to it. Frankly, sometimes size matters because physics happens in a collision sport.
ThugbyFan
Roar Guru
GM, Joe Powell?? You need to be 8ft 3 inches to catch some of his harbour bridge passes (and get smashed by defence for your troubles), plus nearly every game I watched of the Rebels there were breakdowns galore where Powell wasn't sighted. I thought he was out of form for near the whole of SR2021.
ThugbyFan
Roar Guru
I agree, its in the genes. Or is that jeans??? :silly:
ThugbyFan
Roar Guru
Yes! Looks around, "did someone say my name?" :silly:
John
Big difference between a thug and being plain impulsive.
John
Well true in a COVID setting and true the last 14 months, but do we accept that as the new norm or do we look ahead to a post COVID landscape. Anyway let's just see what happens, Wallabies might get close in a match or two
ThugbyFan
Roar Guru
Ex, Tommy Robertson should be a hooker. Bleeding good player around the park and in the middle, just Mother Nature + proteins didn't give him a +115 kg body to take on the monster TH props on the international scene. Having said all that he has been very good in SR this year. He is still in with a big chance as J.Slipper is no sure thing.
Bodger
Roar Rookie
Tom Robertson made 20 tackles on the weekend against the Blues. Wonder if any other AU props made more than 10 and didn't miss a tackle.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Nah the Rebels scrum went backwards with him pushing from LH to TH. Their strongest performing front row this season was Eloff at LH, Uelese at hooker and Fa'amasuili at TH. And I've got no love for Pone. Personally never rated him as ever making it until last year. My experience of being part of scrums that toweled him up meant I felt he was a loooong shot. Seems like I was about as right as I was when I said McCaffrey would come back a dud a couple of seasons ago :laughing:
ThugbyFan
Roar Guru
The Moose Caboos Eloof surely is a better scrummager and runs very good lines with the ball. Dave Rennie seems to want loads of beef and mongrel. Am not sure if that will work but hey, he has forgotten more about rugby than I will ever know. So maybe I should stfu. :stoked:
ThugbyFan
Roar Guru
Train, I have been concussed twice, 1st time was fine after about an hour. Second time it took nearly 6 months for all issues to go away. If I got stressed or even over-exercised then I got massive headaches for about a month. Also for months the only way I could sleep was on my back with head facing the ceiling. Body on its side (like I normally sleep) or head at any angle and I was dizzy and spinning within 5 minutes. I didn't own a car so was a PITA to get to the sports clinic for therapy so just waited it out. I got it because I head butted a post. Those days, you got smelling salts then up and at them even if you didn't remember anyone's name. I was lucky that I fully recovered to become the smart-ar$e drunkard that I am today. :silly:
Bentnuc
Roar Pro
Liam Wright and Irae Simone should feel pretty hard done by after the way they played in TT against the strong opposition