Wallaby coach Michael Cheika has named an eclectic group of names in his latest Wallaby squad. The players, who will initially gather at their state training bases, will ultimately set up camp in Newcastle from 24-29 July.
The Force have been rewarded for a strong season with nine players in the squad, including returning Wallaby front rowers Pek Cowan and Tetra Faulkner. Uncapped players include Jermaine Ainsley, Billy Meakes and Curtis Rona.
Other rookies in the squad include Sef Fa’agase (Reds), Adam Korczyk (Reds), Izack Rodda (Reds), Taniela Tupou (Reds), Jordan Uelese (Rebels), Marika Koroibete (Rebels), Campbell Magnay (Reds) and Izaia Perese (Reds).
Magnay is probably the most contentious selection considering his limited game time this year for Queensland and his intention to head to Japan at season’s end. It comes across as a strategic move by Cheika to try to convince the young utility back of his value in Australian rugby.
Quade Cooper and Scott Higginbotham are perhaps the most notable omission, although Rob Horne (who also played for the Wallabies in June) has not been selected either.
Stephen Moore has been named as captain of the squad.
The full squad is:
Forwards
Jermaine Ainsley*, Western Force
Adam Coleman, 12 Tests, Western Force
Pek Cowan, 10 Tests, Western Force
Jack Dempsey, 1 Test, NSW Waratahs
Kane Douglas, 31 Tests, Queensland Reds
Sef Fa’agase*, Queensland Reds
Tetera Faulkner, 2 Tests, Western Force
Ned Hanigan, 3 Tests, NSW Waratahs
Richard Hardwick, 2 Tests, Western Force
Michael Hooper, 68 Tests, NSW Waratahs
Sekope Kepu, 80 Tests, NSW Waratahs
Adam Korczyk*, Queensland Reds
Tolu Latu, 4 Tests, NSW Waratahs
Sean McMahon, 15 Tests, Melbourne Rebels
Stephen Moore (c), 120 Tests, Queensland Reds
Tatafu Polota-Nau, 71 Tests, Western Force
Tom Robertson, 9 Tests, NSW Waratahs
Izack Rodda*, Queensland Reds
Rob Simmons, 71 Tests, Queensland Reds
Lopeti Timani, 7 Tests, Melbourne Rebels
Taniela Tupou*, Queensland Reds
Jordan Uelese*, Melbourne Rebels
Backs
Kurtley Beale, 60 Tests, NSW Waratahs
Israel Folau, 55 Tests, NSW Waratahs
Bernard Foley, 45 Tests, NSW Waratahs
Will Genia, 78 Tests
Dane Haylett-Petty, 17 Tests, Western Force
Reece Hodge, 13 Tests, Melbourne Rebels
Karmichael Hunt, 3 Tests, Queensland Reds
Samu Kerevi, 8 Tests, Queensland Reds
Marika Koroibete*, Melbourne Rebels
Campbell Magnay*, Queensland Reds
Billy Meakes*, Western Force
Eto Nabuli, 1 Test, Queensland Reds
Sefa Naivalu, 7 Tests, Melbourne Rebels
Izaia Perese*, Queensland Reds
Nick Phipps, 52 Tests, NSW Waratahs
Curtis Rona*, Western Force
*denotes uncapped player
Bledisloe Cup training camps
Local State training bases, July 20-22
Newcastle, NSW, July 24-29
Local State training bases, July 31-Aug 2
Cessnock, NSW, Aug 6-11
Penrith, NSW, Aug 13-18
