NSW trio Langi Gleeson, Ben Donaldson and Mark Nawaqanitawase are on the cusp of Test debuts after making the cut for Australia’s gruelling five-Test spring tour.
Wallabies coach Dave Rennie has rewarded the uncapped Waratahs youngsters for strong form in Australia A’s three-game series against a Japan XV, with Donaldson joining Noah Lolesio and Bernard Foley in the playmaking ranks. Reds fullback Jock Campbell and Rebels prop Sam Talakai have also been called up.
Michael Hooper makes his return to the Test arena after a two-month break for mental health reasons, but will not return to the captaincy on this tour. James Slipper will continue to lead the squad as they navigate a tough line up of the world’s top-ranked sides, including Ireland, France, Wales, Scotland and Italy.
Brumbies fullback Tom Banks also returns after suffering a broken arm in the opening Test of the England series in July.
Kurtley Beale’s bid to make his fourth World Cup has hit a snag after being left out of the 36-man squad. With only a shortened Rugby Championship scheduled for next July, the fullback will need to press his claim through a strong Super Rugby season with the Waratahs.
Will Skelton will join Foley in the squad as Rennie’s latest Giteau Law picks, the giant second-rower linking up with the Wallabies after winning the European Champions Cup with French club La Rochelle. Skelton has not played a Test since last year’s tour.
Michael Hooper, Mark Nawaqanitawase, Kurtley Beale, Ben Donaldson and Noah Lolesio.Credit:Michael Hooper, Mark Nawaqanitawase, Kurtley Beale, Ben Donaldson and Noah Lolesio.
The Wallabies open their campaign against Scotland at Murrayfield on October 30. It will be a tough tour that promises to set the tone for the Wallabies 2023 World Cup campaign, with Rennie’s coaching record sitting at 38 per cent, well below the 50 per cent mark of his predecessors Michael Cheika and Ewen McKenzie. Rennie has been guaranteed his job through until the end of the World Cup, but results from this tour will set public confidence — or otherwise — in his regime.
Ned Hanigan was also named in the squad, as was Force prop Tom Robertson, after Angus Bell suffered a season-ending injury during the Rugby Championship.
Australia squad: Allan Ala’alatoa, Tom Banks, Jock Campbell, Ben Donaldson, Folau Fainga’a, Lalakai Foketi, Bernard Foley, Matt Gibbon, Nick Frost, Langi Gleeson, Jake Gordon, Ned Hanigan, Reece Hodge, Jed Holloway, Michael Hooper, Len Ikitau, Andrew Kellaway, Noah Lolesio, Lachlan Lonergan, Tate McDermott, Fraser McReight, Mark Nawaqanitawase, Cadeyrn Neville, Hunter Paisami, Jordan Petaia, Matt Philip, Dave Porecki, Tom Robertson, Pete Samu, Will Skelton, James Slipper, Sam Talakai, Taniela Tupou, Rob Valetini, Nic White, Tom Wright.
Watch all the action from the Women’s Rugby World Cup from New Zealand with every match streaming ad-free, live and on demand on Stan Sport.
