Banks’ RWC dream alive, Wallaby’s sneaky inclusion as schoolboy sensation called up: Aus A Squad

Banks’ RWC dream alive, Wallaby’s sneaky inclusion as schoolboy sensation called up: Aus A Squad

Dave Rennie has given the greatest indication yet that Tom Banks remains in the frame to play for the Wallabies at next year’s World Cup, with the departing Brumby included in Australia A’s 34-man squad to Japan.

What’s more, Wallaby Darcy Swain, who is poised to be rubbed out of the game for a long time, has been included in the squad which included 12-capped players.

Swain, who faces a judiciary hearing on Wednesday night to determine whether he is suspended for a “reckless and dangerous” cleanout on All Black Quinn Tupaea, would be able to serve any suspension handed down by being included.

It means the 25-year-old could feature in this year’s five-match Spring Tour even if he cops a heavy suspension from the Bledisloe I incident.

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Darcy Swain faces a judicial hearing on Wednesday to determine if he will be suspended out of Bledisloe I. Photo: Getty ImagesSource: Getty Images

Uncapped Wallabies Jock Campbell and Langi Gleeson have been included in the squad, with both still in the frame to go on the end of season Spring Tour.

Others like capped Wallabies Nick Frost, Billy Pollard and Matt Gibbon, as well as Ned Hanigan and Filpo Daugunu, have also been included.

While two-time NRL premiership winner Suliasi Vunivalu will have his chance to push for selection after being selected, too.

Emerging playmakers Ben Donaldson and Tane Edmed have once again been selected, with both men featuring for Australia A in July.

Two interesting names selected are emerging stars Max Jorgensen (outside back) and Teddy Wilson (halfback), with the former bracketed as a “development player”.

Schoolboy sensation Max Jorgensen has been selected as a development player for Australia A. Photo: Waratahs Media.Source: Supplied

But their signings are strong indications of their immense potential, with Jorgensen currently completing his high school education at St Joseph’s, Hunter’s Hill – the same college that director of rugby Andrew Blades recently worked at.

Jorgensen, whose father Peter played for the Wallabies and professional rugby league, was pursued by NRL clubs but chose to join the Waratahs and has been put in the same category as Roosters star Joseph Suaalii.

“Securing Max is a positive outcome, not only for the Waratahs but for Australian Rugby, as he is one of the elite schoolboys from the class of 2022 and highly sought after,” Waratahs coach Darren Coleman said.

“It’s great he has decided to remain at the Waratahs especially after spending the past three years in our academy.

“Max understands he has a long way to go and a lot of work to do before he can become a fully-fledged Super Rugby player, but we look forward to working with him and helping him develop his game.”

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St Joseph’s Max Jorgensen will tour Japan with Australia A. Picture: John AppleyardSource: News Corp Australia

Banks’ selection shows the Honda-bound fullback is still very much in the frame for next year’s World Cup.

Rennie has been coy on the fullback’s future with the Wallabies because the New Zealand coach is still uncertain who he wants to wear the No.15 jersey at next year’s World Cup.

At present he can only pick three players from overseas under the current Rugby Australia eligibility laws, with Samu Kerevi, Quade Cooper and Marika Koroibete in the box to be picked.

But there is a wider thought that all bets will be off for next year and if Rennie wants someone in his World Cup squad, the overseas selection policy will be thrown out.

If that was to occur, players like Banks, Rory Arnold, Will Skelton, Scott Sio and Brandon Paenga-Amosa would come into the frame.

Tom Banks’ World Cup dream is not over despite heading to Honda in the Japan League Two competition. Photo: Getty ImagesSource: Getty Images

Australia A played in this year’s Pacific Nations Cup and the three unofficial Tests against a Japan XV is a huge boost for the nation’s depth.

It will allow the best developing talent another month of rugby ahead of next year’s Super Rugby Pacific season, with Waratahs defence coach Jason Gilmore once again overseeing the tour as head coach.

“It’s great to have these three matches coming up to continue the development and give our players more game time against high level international opposition,” Gilmore said.

“With Dave Rennie’s guidance, we’ve picked the best possible players who are available and everyone’s really excited to put the work in on the training paddock and perform well over in Japan.”

Australia A squad for Japan Tour

Richie Asiata, Queensland Reds

Tom Banks, ACT Brumbies

Ollie Callan, Western Force

Jock Campbell, Queensland Reds

Hudson Creighton, ACT Brumbies

Filipo Daugunu, Queensland Reds

Ben Donaldson, NSW Waratahs

Tane Edmed, NSW Waratahs

Pone Fa’amausili, Melbourne Rebels

Nick Frost, ACT Brumbies

Matt Gibbon, Melbourne Rebels

Langi Gleeson, NSW Waratahs

Ned Hanigan, NSW Waratahs

Isaac Henry, Queensland Reds

Archer Holz, NSW Waratahs

Harry Hoopert, Queensland Reds

Max Jorgensen*, NSW Waratahs

Bayley Kuenzle, Western Force

Lachlan Lonergan, ACT Brumbies

Ryan Lonergan,, ACT Brumbies

Mark Nawaqanitawase, NSW Waratahs

Caderyn Neville, ACT Brumbies

Dylan Pietsch, NSW Waratahs

Billy Pollard, ACT Brumbies

Tom Robertson, Western Force

Rory Scott, ACT Brumbies

Ryan Smith, Queensland Reds

Hamish Stewart, Western Force

Darcy Swain, ACT Brumbies

James Tuttle, Melbourne Rebels

Seru Uru, Queensland Reds

Suli Vunivalu, Queensland Reds

Brad Wilkin, Melbourne Rebels

Teddy Wilson, NSW Waratahs

*denotes Development Player

Australia A vs Japan XV Tour

Saturday, October 1, at Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium in Tokyo

Saturday, October 8, at Best Denki Stadium in Fukuoka

Friday, October 14, at Yodoko Sakura Stadium in Osaka