Eddie Jones confirms ‘world-class’ co-captains in 34-man Wallabies squad
The Wallabies have officially ushered in a new era under Eddie Jones, with the legendary coach commenting on a selection bombshell as part of a 34-player squad for the Rugby Championship.
Veterans Michael Hopper and James Slipper have already created history under Jones, with the “world-class” duo being named the first-ever co-captains of the Wallabies.
Hooper, who has captained the most Test matches in Wallabies history with 68, returns to the leadership role for the first time since stepping away from the game due to personal reasons.
The 31-year-old will lead the team alongside James Slipper, who is one of the most decorated players in the history of Australian rugby. The Brumbies prop has played the third-most games in Wallaby gold – and counting.
“Michael and James are both world-class players, strong leaders and embody what it means to be a Wallaby,” coach Eddie Jones said in a statement.
“They have worked hard with the leadership group since January, and it will be important they continue to have strong support from the players around them.
“Getting selected in the squad is just the start, we’ve got to build the team now and that will require hard work and getting a little bit more out of everyone involved.”
The Test centurions will lead a star-studded squad that includes an exciting number of uncapped players – but there have been some headline-grabbing omissions as well.
Noah Lolesio, Darcy Swain, Jake Gordon and Harry Wilson have all been left out, with Jones opting for five overseas-based players in the squad instead.
There’s no room for experienced playmaker Bernard Foley either, with coach Eddie Jones selecting rising star Carter Gordon alongside Quade Cooper.
In total, the Wallabies have named eight uncapped players – including Brumbies halfback Ryan Lonergan and former Australian Sevens ace Dylan Pietsch.
Bolters Josh Kemeny, Zane Nonggorr, Matt Faessler, Tom Hooper and Richie Arnold will also be looking to make their Test debuts in 2023.
Former Wallabies captain James Horwill was calling for Arnold’s selection on Stan Sport’s Rugby Heaven this week, and the Super Rugby winner got his wish.
Just a week after winning the Top 14 title with Stade Toulouse in a thrilling win over European champions La Rochelle, Arnold has been called up for international honours.
Along with Arnold and Quade Cooper, coach Eddie Jones has selected Samu Kerevi, Marika Koroibete and Will Skelton as the three overseas players picked as part of the “Giteau Law.”
Under the Overseas Players Selection Policy, the Wallabies coach is able to apply to Rugby Australia’s Rugby Committee to select more than three players.
The Wallabies will assemble on the Gold Coast on Sunday ahead of their Rugby Championship opener against the Springboks in Pretoria next month.
Forwards
Allan Alaalatoa
Richie Arnold
Matt Faessler
Nick Frost
Matt Gibbon
Jed Holloway
Michael Hooper (cc)
Tom Hooper
Rob Leota
Fraser McReight
Zane Nonggorr
David Porecki
Pete Samu
Will Skelton
James Slipper
Taniela Tupou
Jordan Uelese
Rob Valetini
Backs
Quade Cooper
Lalakai Foketi
Carter Gordon
Reece Hodge
Len Ikitau
Marika Koroibete
Ryan Lonergan
Tate McDermott
Mark Nawaqanitawase
Izaia Perese
Suliasi Vunivalu
Nic White
Tom Wright
Utility
Ben Donaldson
Josh Kemeny
Dylan Pietsch
Rehab Group
Angus Bell
Langi Gleeson
Andrew Kellaway
Samu Kerevi
Jordan Petaia
Matt Philip
Not considered for selection due to injury
Max Jorgensen
Tom Robertson
Izack Rodda
Corey Toole
Train-On Squad
Charlie Cale
Josh Canham
Pone Fa’amausili
Folau Fainga’a
Charlie Gamble
Ned Hanigan
Tom Lambert
Lachlan Lonergan
Cadeyrn Neville
Lukhan Salakaia-Loto
Blake Schoupp
Darcy Swain
Lachlan Swinton
Sam Talakai
Brad Wilkin
Harry Wilson
Backs
Lachlan Anderson
Jock Campbell
Filipo Daugunu
Issak Fines-Leleiwasa
Josh Flook
Bernard Foley
Jake Gordon
James O’Connor
Hunter Paisami
James Tutle
Joey Walton
Utility
Seru Uru
Comments on RugbyPass
SBW’s bro’town commentary and lazy default to hyperbole should be ignored, a technical analyst he is not. Sotutu is a good player when games get goosey loosey, high skill set that fans of Zinzan recall with starry eyes. But you need power and mongrel at no8 in the Test arena and Sotutu gets found wanting there, much like Akira Ioane. No8’s like Zinzan and Ardie have bucketloads of mongrel and power and tenacity which allow the skill sets to flourish.
11 Go to commentsAn inside pass to attacker on the angle can make a drift defence look lead footed. Relies on fleet footed forward/s to get across from the breakdown. An argument for the smaller faster 7 perhaps?
3 Go to commentsSensational tackle. The reds one was late and rightly penalised. The other two were simultaneous with the pass. If nitpicking TMOs can’t find fault there clearly isn’t any.
1 Go to commentsBrumbies fully deserved their win on the back of their physicality and desire to control the ball. Xavier Numia, Asafo Aumua and Tyrel Lomax should be the ABs starting front row when we start our test schedule. They have “come of age” and have bested all they have faced as well as been dominant with ball in hand in making the gainline. With De Groot, Tamaiti Williams and Fletcher Newell backed up by Taukei'aho and Cody Taylor there's not an international front row that can trouble us. Can't wait to face the Boks over there, won't be no one point game this time.
5 Go to commentsKinda strange that he wasn’t with a premiership team or a higher level of rugby? Start playing late or something? With that kind of size and athleticism you’d think someone would have picked him up?
2 Go to commentsShows how much attitude matters. Last week the Brumbies got done, this week they dominated the tournament leaders, who were likely thinking they could cruise to victory.
5 Go to commentsA Turtle has more pace and leg drive than Owen Franks, so it’s a good thing he only had to run 90 metres for that try.
2 Go to commentsOh Tamati Tua was in the vastly over-rated Leon MacDonalds Blues system? Well, no wonder he was wasted, much like Emoni Narawa and Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens under MacDonald. now look at them. Good thing Tua isn’t eligible, the Aussies latch on to any player who isn’t tied down.
5 Go to commentsMark Telea is a lot of things, but a defensive juggernaut has never been one of them. There will be far bigger tests in that regard for the youngster.
11 Go to commentsLove and respect to Fiji but not a chance outside of 7s
4 Go to commentsGood summation Ned. Agree the Canes were out-muscled for once (except at the scrum!) by a focused Brumbies outfit. Tua deserves consideration for higher honors after the way he humbled Jordie and the Canes defense. Thankfully, his lack of eligibility for Oz keeps him from Joe’s plans. While I also agree the injuries affected the Canes performance, some players seemed to lack focus and intensity for this match. Perhaps after the Blues demolished the Brumbies, they thought it was going to be easy? A good reminder that any slip up in preparation can have a big affect on the result. Brumbies deserved that win.
5 Go to commentsKarl Dixon should never have been appointed this fixture, absolute disgrace, He’s not much of a referee anyway, didn't have the balls to send his mate care off
5 Go to commentsBrilliant article! Harry of 8/9
3 Go to comments‘UK athletes' have been in the NFL from the start.
2 Go to commentsIt’s going to be Scott Barrett. He’s the coaches mate and captain of a previously elite team. Ardie a great option but scooter has worked with the coach and Ardie still as big a leader as needed.
23 Go to commentsI commend Colin Scotts bio All Balls. He was the first Aussie to make it to NFL. But he was poached and did a full apprenticeship at the University of Hawaii. He was 130kgs surfed played 1st grade cricket etc. big guy by normal but not NFL standards and a top athlete. Even then the nfl were picking up Tongans and Samoans for their natural size and explosive power. They want explosive power not cardio from the big boys so a guy like Taniela Tupou would have been good if picked up young enough. He has fast twitch and they’d bulk the little lad up and give him something to do. soccer teams set up academies and look for Over Sara’s talent eg Messi was at Barcelona since a teenager and harry kewell went to Leeds as a teenager like 16 or something.
11 Go to commentsThe article alludes to the fact that this isn’t about picking a captain. But picking a great captain. So who would make for a great All Black captain - not just an obvious or safe shoo-in? I’m not sure Ardie’s the guy and Barret doesn’t stand out either.
23 Go to commentsI guess we may all agree on the fact, that the ABs and Boks are the two in contest for No 1 in rugby history (the triple-A sort of) …. the Wallabies, England and France are the next tier, with Ireland being the new kid in town (AA) …. in my view it makes little sense creating imaginary competitions (unless you have too much time to waste)
45 Go to commentsWhat a joke. Total joke and the pundits commentating, all of whom know a bit about the game, could barely disguise their contempt. Reaching for the card then pulling back when he realised a red card would carry further match suspensions is simply not his decision to make. A clear and obvious influence on the outcome of this match and indeed, the championship path.
5 Go to commentsI like the idea, in NZ the Ranfurly Shield and NPC coexist, both having their own bragging rights. The World Cup would be the pinnacle, but the competition and travels of these trophies would be interesting.
45 Go to comments