Australia A squad named to take on Rugby World Cup-bound Portugal

Wallabies coach Eddie Jones has picked a star-studded Australia A squad of 26 players, which boasts an incredible 367 Test caps between them, to travel to Paris this month.

Ahead of the upcoming Rugby World Cup, Australia A will look to put on a show against one of the Wallabies’ Pool C rivals on August 26. The Aussies will test themselves against Portugal.

Not only is it Os Lobos’ final warmup ahead of rugby union’s showpiece event, but the match also serves as one final opportunity for players to send a message to Eddie Jones.

If there’s an injury to any of the Wallabies during the World Cup, then coach Jones will want to feel assured in his decision to call upon any of these players.

“It is a quality squad with a good mix of experience and youth throughout,” Australia A coach Jason Gilmore said in a statement.

“This is a valuable opportunity for these players, playing on the doorstep of the Rugby World Cup, just days before it kicks off – however the most important thing for us will be to play well together as a team.

“The Rugby World Cup is a long tournament, and history suggests you rarely finish with the same squad you begin with.

“The players are aware of the possibility that the Wallabies may need an injury replacement, and this is an opportunity for them to put themselves in the picture.

‘We are excited to be playing a World Cup team in Portugal, and we expect a strong performance from our team.”

Capped Wallabies Matt Gibbon, Harry Johnson-Holmes and Sam Talakai have been included as three of the five props. The Rebels’ Tom Lambert and rising star Rhys van Nek are also in the mix.

As for the rest of the front row, coach Gilmore has plenty of international experience to choose from with Folau Fainga’a and Lachlan Lonergan the two hookers.

Fainga’a is the most capped forward in the squad with 38 Wallabies appearances to his name.

Lock Josh Canham joins Lukhan Salakaia-Loto and Darcy Swain as the second-rowers in the travelling group.

Experienced loose forwards Ned Hanigan and Pete Samu will travel north, along with backrowers Lachlan Swinton, Seru Uru and Brad Wilkin.

Both halfbacks in the squad are uncapped at international level. Along with Melbourne Rebels No. 9 James Tuttle, Ryan Lonergan has also been selected.

Lonergan – who is the brother of Australia A teammate Lachlan – was part of the Wallabies’ Rugby Championship squad, but the exciting prospect failed to get a run.

Interestingly, there is no Quade Cooper in this squad either. Veteran of 76 caps, Bernard Foley, has been picked as the sole first five.

As for the midfield, it doesn’t get much better as far as backup squads go.

Josh Flook, Hunter Paisami and 72-Test veteran James O’Connor will all look to give Eddie Jones something to think about later this month.

Filipo Daugunu has also been picked in the centres, but may be replaced with Joey Walton depending on a fitness test.

Outside backs Lachlan Anderson, Dylan Pietsch, Corey Toole and Tom Wright will also travel to France.

Australia A squad

Props

Matt Gibbon

Harry Johnson-Holmes

Tom Lambert

Sam Talakai

Rhys van Nek

Bookers

Folau Fainga’a

Lachlan Lonergan

Locks

Josh Canham

Lukhan Salakaia-Loto

Darcy Swain

Back Row

Ned Hanigan

Pete Samu

Lachlan Swinton

Seru Uru

Brad Wilkin

Scrum-halves

Ryan Lonergan

James Tuttle

Fly-halves

Bernard Foley

Centres

Filipo Daugunu*

Josh Flook

James O’Connor

Hunter Paisami

Outside Backs

Lachlan Anderson

Dylan Pietsch

Corey Toole

Tom Wright

* pending fitness – Joey Walton (NSW Waratahs) is on standby