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Wallabies coach Dave Rennie has named 16 limitless players to his 44-man squad for the Bledisloe Cup and Rugby Championship events.
In his first team as the Wallabies head coach, Rennie has named a slew of uncapped players, with eight of the 16 only making their Super Rugby debuts this year.
Additionally, 13 players have fewer than 10 test caps to their name and the team has an average age of 24.
Rennie has made room for two overseas-based players to be called up as Rugby Australia relaxes its stance on the 60-limit test rule and Sanzaar allows a squad of 46 players.
Youngsters Will Harrison and Noah Lolesio, who have impressed for the Waratahs and Brumbies respectively, lead the no-limits players on the team. The young duo, aged 21 and 20, have been selected alongside James O’Connor and Matt To’omua as the flying midfielders for the Wallabies.
Also among the limitless players are Reds scrum-half Tate McDermott and forwards Fraser McReight and Harry Wilson.
Surprisingly, there is no room for seasoned center Tevita Kuridrani, while paddlers Jack Dempsey and Isi Naisarani are other notable omissions.
While no captain has been officially confirmed, Michael Hooper, who was the team captain in 2019, has been inducted into the squad and will likely keep the bracelet.
“This is a really exciting day for us,” Rennie said. “ We chose this team in form and potential and I know the entire group is eager to get stuck and make their case for a Wallaby jersey.
‘There’s a big game coming up on Saturday night in Canberra, but personally, I’m really looking forward to hitting the pitch in a week to start working together.
“When we chose the team, we had to consider how we will handle the rigors of the test schedule ahead of us. Obviously it’s a big team that is due to COVID restrictions as we can’t bring players in and out, but each of them is there on merit.
The Wallabies are scheduled to begin their test season with two Bledisloe Cup matches against the All Blacks starting October 17, before they host the Rugby Championship, which is expected to begin in early November.
The full team will meet next Monday after the AU Super Rugby final between the Brumbies and the Queensland Reds on Saturday in Canberra.
Wallabies 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 Jonson-Holmes, Marika Koroibete, Noah Lolesio *, Jack Maddocks, Tate McDermott *, Fraser McReight *, James O’Connor, Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Hunter Paisami *, Matt Philip, Joe Powell, James Ramm *, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Pete Samu, Rob Simmons, Irae Simone *, Scott Sio, James Slipper, Lachie Swinton *, Matt To’omua, Taniela Tupou, Jordan Uelese, Rob Valetini, Nic White, Harry Wilson *, Liam Wright, Tom Wright *.
Photo: Getty Images
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