The Wallabies squad for the upcoming shortened Rugby Championship has been named and Michael Cheika has made some surprise calls.
Star trio Nick Phipps, Tatafu Polota-Nau and Quade Cooper have all been excluded from the squad, while Christian Leali’ifano, Nic White and Matt Toomu have been included.
Cooper signed for the Rebels for the 2019 Super Rugby season and although he started well his form died down as the season progressed which has cost him a place.
While Phipps has missed out due to the fine form of White, Will Genia and Joe Powell.
The experienced Polota-Nau has also been overtaken in the pecking order by Tolu Latu, Jordan Uelese and Folau Fainga’a.
Speaking about the selections Cheika talked about how having a panel of selectors made things tough but ultimately provided them with a stronger team than he would have picked, had it have been just solely him picking.
“We tried to look at Super Rugby form and what they can bring. We’ve done a lot of preparation in the last few years, exposing young players to senior footy and now we want to see those players in the Test environment wherever possible. It was tough, really tough. It was the first time we’ve worked as a selection panel with different voices and different opinions challenging each other but I think we’ve come to a better outcome than if I was just picking it myself,” he said.
Cheika also made note of the fine form of the players that have been recalled to the national side from home and abroad.
“I’m not the expert to speak on what Christian has been through, only he knows that and his family. What you can’t deny is his form in Super Rugby at the end of the day. If you take out all the other things that he’s achieved, he’s been playing good in Super Rugby and deserves to be there. Nic White has earned his chance, his form in the UK has been outstanding and that’s why we pushed hard to get him back. He’s finding his voice inside the team and now we have some really good options at halfback in this team,” he added.
There are only three uncapped players in the squad which are Isi Naisarani, Liam Wright and Rob Valentini.
David Pocock remains absent due to injury, while James O’Connor has not been selected despite his return to Australia.
The Wallabies open their campaign with a game in South Africa against the Springboks and will be looking to build towards the Rugby World Cup.
Check Out the Full Squad Below.
Backs: Tom
Banks, Dane Haylett-Petty, Reece Hodge, Kurtley Beale, Jack Maddocks, Marika
Koroibete, Tevita Kuridrani, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Samu Kerevi, Matt Toomua,
Bernard Foley, Christian Lealiifano, Will Genia, Nic White, Joe Powell.
Forwards:
Isa Naisarani, Jack Dempsey, Michael Hooper, Liam Wright, Luke Jones, Rob
Valetini, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Izack Rodda, Rob Simmons, Rory Arnold, Sekope
Kepu, Allan Alaalatoa, Taniela Tu pou, Scott Sio, James Slipper, Tom Robertson,
Folau Fainga’a, Tolu Latu, Jordan Uelese.
