The Wallabies 28-man touring squad for the forthcoming TRC Tests against South Africa and Argentina has been named.
Wallabies coach Robbie Deans has had much to think about this week after the Wallabies came from behind to defeat Argentina. On Deans’s mind is the injury curse that has struck again, with fly-half Quade Cooper being ruled out with a knee injury that will see him miss the rest of the international season.
In some good news, Dom Shipperley has overcome a dislocated finger that required surgery during the week to take his place in the squad, along with Stephen Moore and Sitaleki Timani who are returning from hamstring injuries.
Notable inclusions in the squad are Reds back Ben Tapuai and the ‘Honey Badger’, Nick Cummins from the Western Force, among the 12 backs selected. Waratahs prop Paddy Ryan will travel in the hope of making his Wallabies debut.
Full squad:
Adam Ashley-Cooper (Waratahs), Kurtley Beale (Rebels), Digby Ioane (Reds), Dominic Shipperley (Reds), Nick Cummins (Force), Ben Tapuai (Reds), Anthony Fainga’a (Reds), Pat McCabe (Brumbies), Berrick Barnes (Waratahs), Mike Harris (Reds), Nick Phipps (Rebels), Brett Sheehan (Force).
Scott Higginbotham (Reds), Radike Samo (Reds), Michael Hooper (Brumbies), Liam Gill (Reds), Dave Dennis (Waratahs), Rob Simmons (Reds), Nathan Sharpe (Force), Kane Douglas (Waratahs), Sitaleki Timani (Waratahs), Ben Alexander (Brumbies), Paddy Ryan (Waratahs), James Slipper (Reds), Benn Robinson (Waratahs), Saia Fainga’a (Reds), Stephen Moore (Brumbies), Tatafu Polota-Nau (Waratahs).
The majority of the squad departs for South Africa tomorrow. Ben Tapuai, Rob Simmons and Mike Harris will join the squad after playing in the Brisbane club rugby Grand Final this weekend. The first tour match is against the Springboks in Pretoria on 29 September. Then it’s on to Rosario in Argentina for the to play the Pumas on 6 October.
