Wallabies coach Dave Rennie has named a 42-man squad with only one new name for Australia’s Rugby Championship and Bledisloe Cup opener against the All Blacks, a game threatened by COVID issues.
Brumbies forward Nick Frost is the only player selected for the first time in a Wallabies squad, while there are several returning players.
Izack Rodda is in the squad for the time under Rennie. Western Force teammate Tom Robertson also returns having last played in the 2018 Rugby Championship against South Africa.
Toulon’s Duncan Paia’aua is back after a longer break. He last played for the Wallabies in 2017 against the Barbarians as a No.10.
Nic White and Scott Sio have overcome knee and hamstring injuries, while Jordan Petaia is back after missing the 2-1 series win over France with a quad injury.
The 42-man squad contains eight uncapped players, with four others having made their debuts against France earlier this month.
Wallabies coach Dave Rennie said: “The connection this group is forming is growing every day and we’ve picked a squad of players here who are willing to work hard for each other.”
“We know we’ve still got a way to go to get to where we want to be but that challenge is exciting and something we’re looking forward to.
“We have a great opportunity coming up in the Rugby Championship and Bledisloe Cup Tests to build on the momentum we picked up during a tough French Series.”
Noah Lolesio of the Wallabies celebrates his try during the International Test Match between the Wallabies and France at Suncorp Stadium. (Photo by Kelly Defina/Getty Images)
The opening Test venue and date are in doubt due to the escalating Covid situation in Australia.
The Wallabies are due to play the first game on August 7 in Auckland with two more Tests against New Zealand on August 21 in Perth, and August 28 in Wellington.
Rugby Australia and New Zealand Rugby are hopeful of government exemptions to allow players to take part despite the quarantine-free travel bubble between the countries being paused for two months.
Restrictions on travel from NSW and Victoria to New Zealand were already in place, but New Zealand extended the two-month ban to all of Australia. The Wallabies are based on the Gold Coast.
Rugby Australia Chief Executive Officer Andy Marinos said: “We are working closely with New Zealand Rugby and the various Governments through different scenarios now.
“Rugby Australia’s position has always been to prioritise the health and safety of its players, staff and fans, and today’s announcement only reinforces that. We want to thank the Australian Government as well as the New Zealand Government for their support so far, as we aim for a positive outcome in the coming days.
“The Wallabies team have been in a secure bubble since the conclusion of the France Series, with the squad assembled on the Gold Coast. The players are regularly tested for Covid-19 and have maintained strict bio-security protocols as recommended by the Return To Play Committee and the relevant health authorities,” Marinos said.
The squad
Allan Alaalatoa (46, Brumbies, 27)
Tom Banks (14, Brumbies, 27)
Angus Bell (6, NSW Waratahs, 20)
Pone Fa’amausili* (uncapped, Melbourne Rebels, 24)
Lalakai Foketi* (uncapped, NSW Waratahs, 26)
Nick Frost* (uncapped, Brumbies, 21)
Jake Gordon (8, NSW Waratahs, 28)
Reece Hodge (46, Melbourne Rebels, 26)
Michael Hooper (c) (108, NSW Waratahs, 29)
Len Ikitau (2, Brumbies, 22)
Feleti Kaitu’u* (uncapped, Western Force, 26)
Andrew Kellaway (2, Melbourne Rebels, 25)
Marika Koroibete (37, Melbourne Rebels, 28)
Rob Leota* (uncapped, Melbourne Rebels, 24)
Noah Lolesio (5, Brumbies, 21)
Lachlan Lonergan (2, Brumbies, 21)
Ryan Lonergan* (uncapped, Brumbies, 23)
Tate McDermott (5, Queensland Reds, 22)
Fraser McReight (1, Queensland Reds, 22)
Andy Muirhead* (uncapped, Brumbies, 29)
Isi Naisarani (11, Melbourne Rebels, 26)
James O’Connor (55, Queensland Reds, 31)
Brandon Paenga-Amosa (12, Queensland Reds, 25)
Duncan Paia’aua* (uncapped, Toulon, 26)
Hunter Paisami (9, Queensland Reds, 23)
Jordan Petaia (8, Queensland Reds, 21)
Matt Philip (12 Tests, Melbourne Rebels, 27)
Tom Robertson (24, Western Force, 26)
Izack Rodda (25, Western Force, 24)
Lukhan Salakaia-Loto (28, Queensland Reds, 24)
Pete Samu (10, Brumbies, 29)
Scott Sio (68, Brumbies, 29)
James Slipper (103, Brumbies, 32)
Darcy Swain (3, Brumbies, 24)
Lachlan Swinton (2, NSW Waratahs, 24)
Matt To’omua (57, Melbourne Rebels, 31)
Taniela Tupou (28, Queensland Reds, 25)
Jordan Uelese (13, Melbourne Rebels, 24)
Rob Valetini (7, Brumbies, 22)
Nic White (37, Brumbies, 31)
Harry Wilson (8, Queensland Reds, 21)
Tom Wright (5, Brumbies, 24)
savant
Roar Rookie
Kerevi misses a lot of tackles. The best tackling centre in Australia is Hamish Stewart. By a country mile.
savant
Roar Rookie
Like Kerevi you mean? The guy who played 12 for 2 years while the Reds came last?
Charlie Turner
Guest
I guess $1,000,000 a season doesn't buy you much these days. Lucas, Hockings, Rodda and others asked to cut their salaries to fit Vunivalu it. Way to build culture!
Marto
Guest
distributor 12 ? LOL :laughing: :laughing: that doesn`t work in the modern game against good teams. You need a big line busting line bending 12. A distributor Lol :laughing: Look how good that distributor at 12 Toomua is going LOL :laughing: :laughing:
Paddy
Guest
But Duncan cannot tackle.The only tackling centres we have are Hunter and Kerevi
Mo
Guest
ISI Wilson Swinton and valetini are competing for 3 spots in the 23. SAMU covers 7 6 and 8.
TJ-Go Force!
Roar Rookie
Both still recovering from injury. Vunivalu isn’t far off, but he hasn’t been in the bubble. I expect him to play club rugby in Brisbane and get his fitness up. Back for SA and Argentina
TJ-Go Force!
Roar Rookie
I rate Stewart a lot.
TJ-Go Force!
Roar Rookie
Great to see Pete Samu back in the squad.
ChrisG
Roar Rookie
Born in NZ. Moved to QLD when he was 7. That's why he was eligible to play for the All Blacks. Enough there for Dutton to send him back if he ever misbehaves!
Jamez
Roar Rookie
Pretty sure Brad is Australian. *we (NZ) would love him to be kiwi. https://www.rugby.com.au/news/2020/01/03/super-rugby-reds-thorn-kiwi
fiwiboy7042
Roar Rookie
Apparently Duncan was back in the country in a non-locked down part of the country on holiday and got the call.
moaman
Roar Guru
But you got it! Well done mate. Think of all those extra Os you will now be using. Your O intake will double! (''Double O for 'too') :stoked:
Thats tooo confusing Moaman... :silly:
Nick Maguire
Roar Rookie
TOB, "This guy is a serious athlete" there is the first problem. No doubt at all your statement is correct as far as it goes. You didn't say "this guys is a serious Rugby winger". I am a Melbourne Storm supporter so I have also followed him and the team. He's always been a defensive liability except for catching the ball. His positioning and decision making is poor and our right side defense suffered for it until he left. Just picture that on the end of the Wallabies backline. Offensively here are his try scoring numbers; 2016 23 2017 23 2018 15 2019 11 2020 14 If you follow the NRL you will know what happened after the 2017 season. He does really well bringing the ball back and on these numbers is a good but no longer great NRL winger. The Storm will not pay overs for a winger because they recognise their value, hence why they've made a few good ones who have then left when they could get more money elsewhere. 14 tries and poor defense don't get you a pay rise at the Storm. How about we actually see him play some Rugby and demand selection? If RA wanted a useful player from the Storm they could have gone after Nicho Hynes as a 10/15 who would actually add some value to positions of weakness. Why they continue to pay big money for NRL wingers instead of playmakers I don't understand, they wouldn't have been high on my agenda but anyhoo. There's certainly going to be some interesting Rugby (fingers crossed) over the next few weeks. Cheers
Apparently so!! :laughing: :laughing: I just wish he would stop saying this stuff in the public arena all the time and just let the suits work it out.
Hika Im not clinging to anything. I just like truth. Glad you agree he left the Reds because he refused to take a pay cut along with the other 190+ Aus SR players. Technically or not. Are you saying its because he didnt get the Reds captaincy?
moaman
Roar Guru
Am I missing something here? (probably) 1.Has this squad of 42 been in "a bubble" training together? 2.Are they intending to fly before NZ's 7-day deadline expires?
moaman
Roar Guru
Jacko, Chuck another O onto your "to" for 'too small' or 'too much of anything'. (If it's too many/much/big/small or indifferent then it is "too" that you are looking for.) :thumbup:
Olly
Roar Rookie
Head coach helping out with recruitment is my gut feeling as well.