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Sixteen unlimited players were included in the new coach on Sunday Dave rennie’s First Wallabies squad, with the youth line-up “chewing a bit” before a Rugby Championship hit by the coronavirus.
The New Zealander took office in July with Australia languishing in seventh place in the standings and a string of experienced players leaving him after last year’s World Cup.
He has been closely following the AU Super Rugby tournament and his excellent 44-man squad for tryouts later this year combines a handful of experience and plenty of young prospects as he looks to rebuild for the next World Cup in France.
“This is a really exciting day for us,” Rennie said.
“We chose this team in form and potential and I know the whole group is eager to get stuck and make their case for a Wallaby jersey.”
He did not name a captain, but incumbent Michael Hooper (99 Tests) was included and has made it clear that he wishes to remain in the position.
Lock Rob Simmons (100 tests), mainstay James Slipper (96) and the likes of Scott Sio, James O’Connor and Matt Toomua bring great experience.
But Rennie is looking to the future with 16 players without a cap and another 13 with fewer than 10 appearances in a Wallabies jersey.
Among the rookies were Queensland Reds scrum half Tate McDermott, wing Fraser McReight and NSW Waratahs goal-kicking sensation Will Harrison, all 21.
Tahs mainstay Angus Bell, the son of former Wallabies mainstay Mark Bell, is the youngest at just 19 years old.
Other newcomers include exciting center Noah Lolesio, his Brumbies teammate Irae Simone, and Melbourne Rebels pairing Pone Fa’amausili and Trevor Hosea.
The rower Isi Naisarani and the midfielder Tevita Kuridrani were the main omissions, and Rennie opted for any foreign player.
“When we chose the team, we had to consider how we will handle the rigors of the testing schedule ahead of us,” Rennie said.
“Obviously it is a great team that is due to Covid restrictions, as we cannot bring players in and out, but each of them is there on merit.”
He already has some injury issues after a hard-hitting AU Super Rugby playoff game on Saturday between the Reds and the Rebels.
Hooker Jordan Uelese seems to be the biggest concern after leaving the field with what looked like a shoulder injury.
Their Rebels captain Dane Haylett-Petty also limped off, with playmaker Toomua and Reds defender Jordan Petaia joining the walking wounded.
The Four Nations Rugby Championship will be played in Australia between November 7 and December 12, after the governing body SANZAAR chose New Zealand as host.
Australian quarantine regulations were seen as more relaxed, with teams able to train together in large groups while in mandatory isolation for 14 days.
This was important given that neither South Africa nor Argentina have resumed competitive rugby since the pandemic brought the sport to a halt earlier this year.
To compensate, the All Blacks’ two Bledisloe Cup events against the Wallabies, to be played in Australia, will now be in New Zealand. The dates have not been confirmed, but October 17 and 24 seem more likely.
Australia Squad: Jermaine Ainsley, Allan Alaalatoa, Tom Banks, Angus Bell, Filipo Daugunu, Pone Fa’amausili, Folau Fainga’a, Jake Gordon, Ned Hanigan, Will Harrison, Dane Haylett-Petty, Reece Hodge, Michael Hooper, Tom Horton, Trevor Hosea , Len Ikitau, Harry Johnson-Holmes, Marika Korobiete, Noah Lolesio, Jack Maddocks, Tate McDermott, Fraser McReight, James O’Connor, Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Hunter Paisami, Jordan Petaia, Matt Philip, Joe Powell, James Ramm, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Pete Samu, Rob Simmons, Irae Simone, Scott Sio, James Slipper, Lachie Swinton, Matt Toomua, Taniela Tupou, Jordan Uelese, Rob Valetini, Nic White, Harry Wilson, Liam Wright, Tom Wright
