Eighteen-year-old sensation Max Jorgensen, Rebels playmaker Carter Gordon and rookie Brumbies prop Blake Schoupp are among six uncapped bolters named in Eddie Jones’ first Wallabies squad, ahead of a World Cup camp later this month.
Jones named a 33-man squad for a three-day camp to be held on the Gold Coast, and to no great surprise, the new Wallabies coach has made some shock inclusions — and exclusions — when selecting his first Australian training group since 2005.
After impressing Jones with their Super Rugby form, Jorgensen, Schoupp, Gordon, Brumbies halfback Ryan Lonergan, Rebels flanker Brad Wilkin and Reds centre Josh Flook are the six uncapped players who will attend the camp.
In a separate group of seven overseas-based players who will attend the camp, former Brumbies lock Richie Arnold is a seventh uncapped player involved, but his twin brother — veteran Wallaby Rory — was not included.
Gordon and Waratahs no.10 Ben Donaldson were the two five-eighths named, with Noah Lolesio and James O’Connor both left off the list. Queensland rookie Tom Lynagh was nominated as not considered due to injury.
Tate McDermott and Jake Gordon were both omitted, with Nic White and Lonergan the only halfbacks listed.
Max Jorgensen, Ryan Lonergan, Eddie Jones, Carter Gordon and Josh Flook.Credit:Getty
Waratahs flanker Charlie Gamble, who was named in the final 44-man Wallabies squad under Dave Rennie in January, missed the cut.
“Every pre-season testing in Formula One is a fresh start,” Jones said in a statement. “New ideas, new cars, new drivers, new support staff. It’s the same for us.”
“This is a new squad, with new standards and new expectations for a new challenge. I hope the players who have this first chance understand the privilege, have their tyres pumped up and they’re ready to go.”
“It’s no secret what I’ve been looking for,” he said, “and in the players selected for this first camp they’ve delivered on work rate, effort and intent.”
“What they haven’t delivered on in Super Rugby is winning, particularly against New Zealand teams. Competitive doesn’t cut it. We will build a winner’s mindset in the Wallabies players, and we will win games. That will come from confidence and belief that comes through effort and sacrifice.
“I’ve said it a million times. We have the talent in Australia but not the team. This first camp and this first squad is the first step to building a winning team.
“This is not the squad for Rugby World Cup. It’s the first squad for the first camp. If you are in it, the challenge is to stay in it. If you are not in it, how do you get in it? Players select themselves.
“Going to win a Bledisloe Cup and a Rugby World Cup with the Wallabies is a rare privilege in a player’s career. Thousands try, few succeed.
“We saw a first-class game last night between the Brumbies and Waratahs with players really working hard for each other on both sides. It was encouraging. All I’ll say is, let’s see more of that and let’s see it every week. No excuses. Make it impossible for me to leave you out.”
MORE TO COME
