Aussie Pro Rugby

Bovidae

The new era of Wallabies' rugby has officially begun with incoming Wallabies coach Dave Rennie releasing his first squad ahead of this year's Bledisloe Test series and Rugby Championship.

Naming a 44-man group, Rennie has included 16 uncapped players as well as 13 who've played less than 10 Tests.

Despite several Western Force players making an impression during the Super Rugby AU competition, no players made squad selection, while title favourites the Brumbies make up the bulk of the squad with 13 players.

Making up for last year's disappointment, Pete Samu has been named after his impressive year with the Brumbies, while shockingly Rebels No.8 Isi Naisarani and Waratahs' Jack Dempsey missed out entirely. Samu will instead be joined by Harry Wilson, Fraser McReight and Liam Wright.

In other notable omissions, there was no space for Tevita Kuridrani or Karmichael Hunt who have both been in and out of the respective top sides this season.

Young guns Lachie Swinton, Hunter Paisami, Pone Fa'amausili and James Ramm are other uncapped players gunning for a maiden Test cap.

The unusually large squad is due to biosecuirty measures that will prohibit any late additions from joining the squad once they begin training.

"This is a really exciting day for us," Rennie said. "We've picked this squad on form and on potential and I know the whole group are chomping at the bit to get stuck in and push their case for a Wallaby jersey.

"There's a big game to come on Saturday night down in Canberra but personally, I'm really looking forward to getting out on the grass in a week's time to start putting in the work together.


"When we picked the squad, we had to consider how we will handle the rigours of the Test calendar ahead. It is obviously a big squad which is due to COVID restrictions as we can't bring players in and out but each of one them is there on merit."

Incumbent Wallabies captain Michael Hooper (96 Tests) has retained his place in the side, alongside teammate Rob Simmons, who is now the only player to have played over 100 Tests.

Rebels trio Matt Toomua (groin), Dane Haylett-Petty (groin) and Jordan Uelese (shoulder) have all been included as they await scans on their respective injuries suffered in Saturday's qualifying final loss to the Reds.

The squad will come together next Monday, following the Super Rugby AU final between the Brumbies and the Reds in Canberra.

Full Wallabies squad (* denotes uncapped players):

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*.

NTA

According to the internet outrage, Naisarani is missing

Machpants

@NTA Yyup that was mentioned in the wall-o-text.

Pretty fresh faced, aiming for next RWC methinks. This year is a pass for all coaches, really

Tim

Who are the locks? Any experience there?

Machpants

@Tim said in Aussie Rugby:

Who are the locks? Any experience there?

"There are four locks in the squad with veteran Rob Simmons the oldest in the squad. Other second-rowers included are Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, French-bound Matt Philip and rising Rebels lock Hosea, while Ned Hanigan has been bracketed as a hybrid lock/back-rower. Foreign-based locks Rory Arnold, Will Skelton and Izack Rodda could come into the frame to be called up for the Rugby Championship.

The fact that only 44 players have been named when SANZAAR has extended their squad sizes to 46 in 2020 because of COVID-19 indicates that a further two players will be included at some point."

Daffy Jaffy

Rennie on his squad -

Kirwan

Getting the feeling this is going to be a good Wallaby side. Previous coach held them back a bit IMO.

KiwiMurph

@Kirwan In addition to coaching they also seem to have a quality young core that could be developed to play across the next 2 World Cups (Tupou, Hosea, McReight, Wright, Wilson, McDermott, Lolesio, Harrison, Petaia etc).

Tim

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/international/300110947/rugby-championship-exengland-lock-geoff-parling-named-wallabies-forwards-coach

antipodean

@Tim Is the Rebels lineout any good? Wallabies also have some "scrum guru" who was at Glasgow.

Machpants

That's a big jump from lineout guru for a real second rate team to Tier 1 team forwards coach.

@antipodean for what it's worth "In Super Rugby AU, the Rebels had the best lineout success (88 per cent), ahead of the Brumbies and Waratahs (both 83 per cent)."

Petrus du Plessis He was made scrum coach of Glasgow Warriors on 3 June 2019. He was signed until 2021 in a deal which also involved playing when required. He departed the club in July 2020.
Like Geoff a real noob coaching wise. Scott Wisemantel attack coach is certainly a better qualified coach. TBH outside of him and Rennie, not inspiring at all. Oh Matt Taylor Defence, previous Glasgow Defence (when they were crap) and Scotland - enough said