Thirteen Wallabies rejected for Eddie Jones’ first Rugby Championship squad get their chance to stake World Cup claims as part of an Australia A squad to face Tonga on July 14.
Flyhalf Bernard Foley is set to partner Jake Gordon in the halves, while there is one big omission in the team with Brumbies’ fly half Noah Lolesio not included.
Foley was left out of the Rugby Championship squad after returning to Australia after a commanding season in Japan – with Quade Cooper and Carter Gordon preferred for the Test in South Africa. Lolesio has slipped from starting place to completely out of favour. There is a spot for veteran Reds flyhalf James O’Connor.
The forward pack is crammed with international firepower including Folau Fainga’s, Pone Fa’amausili, Brumbies lock Cadeyrn Neville, returning Rebel Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Reds number eight Harry Wilson and Tahs lock/flanker Ned Hanigan.
Brumbies winger Corey Toole gets a call up as does a former NZ Sevens ace Ollie Sapsford in a backs unit that includes out of favour Reds fullback Jock Campbell.
“It’s great to build on the foundations of the Australia A program from last year with another hit out against Test-quality International opposition in Tonga,” coach Jason Gilmore said .
“Eddie has selected a group with a huge amount of talent and alongside the rest of the Australia A coaches, I’m looking forward to working closely with them and maximising our time together.”
Gilmore will be assisted by ACT Brumbies duo Rod Seib and Laurie Fisher.
The game will take place on the 50th anniversary of Tonga’s victory over the Wallabies in Brisbane. Fatai Kefu, the father of current Tonga coach and Wallabies legend Toutai Kefu, represented the Ikale Tahi.
Australia A Squad to play Tonga
Lachlan Anderson (Melbourne Rebels)
Jock Campbell (Queensland Reds)
Josh Canham (Melbourne Rebels)
Pone Fa’amausili (Melbourne Rebels)
Folau Fainga’a (Western Force)
Issak Fines-Leleiwasa (Western Force)
Bernard Foley (Kubota Spears)
Josh Flook (Queensland Reds)
Jake Gordon (NSW Waratahs)
Ned Hanigan (NSW Waratahs)
Tom Lambert (NSW Waratahs)
Lachlan Lonergan (ACT Brumbies)
Cadeyrn Neville (ACT Brumbies)
James O’Connor (Queensland Reds)
Lukhan Salakaia-Loto (Melbourne Rebels)
Ollie Sapsford (ACT Brumbies)
Blake Schoupp (ACT Brumbies)
Lachlan Swinton (NSW Waratahs)
Sam Talakai (Melbourne Rebels)
Corey Toole (ACT Brumbies)
Seru Uru (Queensland Reds)
Rhys Van Nek (ACT Brumbies)
Joey Walton (NSW Waratahs)
Brad Wilkin (Melbourne Rebels)
Harry Wilson (Queensland Reds)
jcmasher
Roar Rookie
As opposed to just being a c@ck like you. I’ll take the ageist over being a c@ck
Guess
Roar Rookie
Lol now I also have attitude. Wanna see attitude look in the mirror. Right I was sharing my opinion that your different opinion was dumb and hateful. And you're ageist hypocrite.
Honest Max
Roar Rookie
The number you are calling is disconnected. Please check the number and call again.
Cec
Roar Rookie
Where do I send you my PayPal invoice? :laughing: He started 10 of 17. Went 9 on the trot from round 3 but got rested round 13 in Perth but resumed the starter round 14 against Chiefs where I think he got HIA and missed round 15 altogether due to protocols. So he got managed back in for the last to rounds/finals.
Mungbean74
Roar Rookie
I agree, but from next year or so when Quade and Foley get a bit old will be Noah’s and some of the other young fellas time. That’s the risk they take I guess, use them or maybe lose them.
K.F.T.D.
Roar Rookie
Probably- but at least Eddie would have an excuse.
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
Apparently he won best flyhalf in Japan this season so he’s in good form
jcmasher
Roar Rookie
What a dumb response. Everything on this site is opinion and none is better or worse than any others, just different. Happy for you to disagree with my opinion because yours is different, but there's no need to attack me or anyone else just because ours is different, that just demonstrates a poor attitude and probably some deep-seated issues with your mentality and attitude
jcmasher
Roar Rookie
Yeah but Foley? All he seems to know is how to train well and then lose well on the weekend. He offered nothing in any of the games last year that Lolesio and others offered and he caused the loss of the game in Melbourne with his arrogant attitude to the referee.
K.F.T.D.
Roar Rookie
Don’t worry Nutter, it has been statistically proven that 6 out of 7 Dwarfs aren’t Happy. He, he. What do they say about stats and lies.
Rocky's Rules
Roar Rookie
@KFTD Would you like to beaten by 60-80 points in SA cos the Bok team they picked for the WB game is just as good as the one they've sent to NZ :thumbup:
Rocky's Rules
Roar Rookie
Well this Australia A Team is a poor one imo. Big weakness all over the park starting with Foley, Campbell, Flook, Wilkin, Fa’amausili, LSL, Hanigan & Wilson. They should be good enough to beat Tonga but the forward pack is particularly soft and weak :stoked:
Bluffboy
Roar Rookie
I'm sure he did Mung, the point I was trying make is how do players develop for Australia. Lolesio may have dropped back in the rankings here (and I agree is out of form) but if not offered pathways he will just drift off and maybe have a quite a few brilliant seasons off shore.
Bluffboy
Roar Rookie
Are you really comparing Sexton with Foley. Apples and Cabbages comes to mind.
Doctordbx
Roar Rookie
Harsh. Lolesio was the best pick when the options were mediocre. The reality is there are better options now. I don't necessarily agree with Foley at 10 but it's Australia A, not the Wallabies.
The Ferret
Roar Rookie
Sexton won't play in the WC. He will be home in the naughty seat.
Honest Max
Roar Rookie
Jack Bowen is nowhere near it.
Honest Max
Roar Rookie
I’d bet money that he started less than 50% of Brumbies’ games.
Cec
Roar Rookie
Noah I hope you’re getting good advice from family, coaches and agent. Keep a perspective on Ed’s mind games & detractors. I think head O/S and make a bundle of cash. 3yrs is not a long time and you’ll only be 26yrs. The RWC27 will be up then & probably Ed will be gone. In 3yrs, & depending on where your game is at, your test eligibility opens up to three options- your O/S residency, back to AUS or your country of birth. You may be on the growing list of AUS playing for other tier 1 nations & if so, then so be it.
Cec
Roar Rookie
No that’s not right. Check again. Started most just not the end with recovery from concussion.