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Major bombshells as Wallabies reveal Rugby World Cup squad with Will Skelton as captain
Coach Eddie Jones has dropped a series of selection bombshells by omitting former Australian captain Michael Hooper and playmaker Quade Cooper from the Wallabies’ Rugby World Cup squad.
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As reported on Thursday morning, Hooper was expected to miss out on the World Cup team after sustaining a calf injury during The Rugby Championship. Len Ikitau has also failed to recover from an injury.
In a way, leaving those players out of the squad made sense.
But Cooper’s absence from the 33-man squad was far more surprising. Whether you love to hate him or hate to love him, there’s no denying that Quade Cooper is a gifted rugby player.
Cooper slotted a clutch penalty attempt from near-halfway inside the final 10 minutes against the All Blacks in Dunedin last weekend – although, the playmaker made a crucial error shortly after.
The Wallabies, Eddie Jones and the Australian rugby public will look to young gun Carter Gordon as their chief No. 10 for the World Cup. Gordon, 22, has only started two Test matches in Wallaby gold.
Gordon is the sole flyhalf selected in the squad, but ‘utility’ Ben Donaldson is expected to cover the position as well.
For 25 out of the 33 players selected in the squad, this will be their first World Cup campaign. La Rochelle lock Will Skelton will lead the Wallabies into battle in France.
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“Just feel we need someone who can bring the squad together, make it a little but tighter,” Jones said on Stan Sport. “He’s got all those attributes.
“He’s a really good team man and with Tate there and obviously guys like James Slipper in there and Nic White… we feel that’s the best way to take the leadership of the team forward.
“He’s a guy that’s used to winning. A lot of this squad aren’t used to winning so he brings that to the table.”
There are two genuine bolters in this squad. The biggest surprise inclusion in the squad is Western Force halfback Issak Fines-Leleiwasa.
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Fines-Leleiwasa was not included in The Rugby Championship squad, and replaces Ryan Lonergan in the mix.
The other surprise – which will likely put a smile on the faces on Australian rugby fans – is the selection of Max Jorgensen. Jorgensen, 18, was injured during Super Rugby Pacific.
“Jorgensen, I thought during the Super Rugby season he was one of the standout players so we always had our eyes on him,” Jones added.
“He’s come through a pretty rigid rehab and he should be fit to play in two or three weeks.”
Wallabies Rugby World Cup squad:
Props: Angus Bell, Pone Fa’amausili, Zane Nonggorr, Blake Schoupp, James Slipper, Taniela Tupou
Hookers: Matt Faessler, David Porecki, Jordan Uelese,
Locks: Richie Arnold, Nick Frost, Matt Philip, Will Skelton ©,
Loose forwards: Langi Gleeson, Tom Hooper, Rob Leota, Fraser McReight, Rob Valetini
Scumhalves: Issak Fines-Leleiwasa, Tate McDermott (vc), Nic White
Flyhalf: Carter Gordon
Centres: Lalakai Foketi, Samu Kerevi, Izaia Perese, Jordan Petaia
Outside backs: Max Jorgensen, Andrew Kellaway, Marika Koroibete, Mark Nawaqanitawase, Suliasi Vunivalu
Utility: Ben Donaldson, Josh Kemeny
Comments on RugbyPass
Tamati Tua. …the Taniwha NPC midfielder. Ollie Sapsford, Hawkes Bay NPC midfielder…doing well
1 Go to commentsFiji deserve to be in the rugby championship, fans love seeing the Fijian national team play, the Fijian Drua is a wonderful idea but the players can still be stolen to play for NZ and AUS…
1 Go to commentsThe first concern for this afternoon are wheather forecast…
1 Go to commentsWhy cant I watch Rugby games please?
1 Go to commentsBeautiful shot from Finau, end of story. Gutted for Shaun Stevenson though.
4 Go to commentsThe Chiefs definitely didn’t win ugly. They had the superior scrum, a dominant lineout, and their defence was excellent once the Waratahs scored their two tries (thanks to some lucky refereeing calls mind you). They put pressure on the Waratahs lineout throughout the game, and the mind boggles as to why the referee did not award a yellow card or a penalty try against the Waratahs for repeated scrum infringements on their own try line before Narawa’s first try. And the Chiefs were slick with their passing and running angles on attack. It was a dominant performance all round, even with many questionable refereeing decisions.
1 Go to commentsWasnt late. Ref 2 assistants andTMO all saw it so who are you to say it was?
4 Go to commentsAre the Brumbies playing the Blues twice in a row?
4 Go to commentsBig difference from the Saders. Forwards really muscled up and laid a solid platform. Scooter brought some steel and I liked the loosie combination. Newell has been rather disappointing this season but stepped up big time - happy also to see Franks dot down. He should do that more often! Reihana had a good game and there seems to be more flair and invention with him in the saddle. McNicoll plays well from the back and is reliable plus inventive when he joins the line. Keep it up chaps!
3 Go to comments🤦♂️🤣 who cares who’s the best . All I know is the All Blacks have the star coach but have few star players now …
33 Go to commentsJe suis sûr que Farrell est impatient de jouer avec Lopez et Machenaud et d’être entraîné par Collazo… 🤭
1 Go to commentsAn on field red (aka a full red) in SRP must surely carry a bigger suspension than a red card given by the bunker as that carries a 20 minute team punishment. Had Damon Murphy abdicated his responsibility as a ref and issued both Drua players a yellow, which would have been upgraded to a 20 minute red by the bunker, that would have killed Australia and New Zealand’s push for the 20 minute red to be trialled globally from July this year.
11 Go to commentsEver so often you all post a Danny Care story that isn’t the announcement that he has finally re-signed for one more, victory tour season at Quins and I’m just like, “well you fooled me again!” My absolute favorite player ever, we need to make his final year at the Stoop (and Twickers) official already. I know he supposedly snubbed France but I won’t feel better until he signs.
1 Go to commentslate hit what late hit it wasn’t at all late and can clearly see he was committed before the tackle
4 Go to commentsChristian Lio -Willies 2 try perfomance was a standout. As was captain Scott Barrett. Up front was where the boys won it.They are a great team and players. Fantastic Crusaders , you can keep going.
3 Go to commentsI don't know how the locals feel about that? I guess if you call yourselves the Worcester Wasps that might be appease. But really we need more teams in the Premiership in my view so they are not padding it out as they are at the moment. It might curtail so many players going abroad as well
5 Go to commentsNZ 😭😭😭is certainly rivaling England for best whingers cup!😭😭😭 !!!
33 Go to commentsYup. New Zealand won 3 out of 10 world cups played. SA 4 out of 8 attempts 30 Vs 50 per cent.🤔🤔
33 Go to commentsShould've done this years ago. Change Saturday kick off times to around 11am. Up and off and back home before 3pm, limit travel time too. Allows players to actually do something else with their Saturday that's family oriented or being rugby fans they could ‘watch’ pro rugby. Increases crowds etc. How can anyone that enjoys grassroots and pro rugby have to choose between the two on Saturdays?
9 Go to commentsI bet he inspired those supporters just as much.
1 Go to comments