Wallabies coach Eddie Jones has named his 33-man squad for the Rugby World Cup in France with a number of surprises the main takeaway from the announcement.
The squad was revealed in Darwin on Thursday night and the exclusion of some big names in Michael Hooper and Quade Cooper leaving many journalists and pundits scratching their heads. To add some more spice to the mix, Jones has named Will Skelton as Captain with James Slipper relinquishing the co-captaincy role he shared with Michael Hooper.
There had been whispers during the week of who may or may not make the squad but it brings into question what the point of the Rugby Championship was as that would have been a perfect opportunity to embed his plan of bringing in youth and leaving those in doubt behind.
Injured brigade
It appears the calf injury that Hooper sustained in the week leading up to Sydney’s Test against Argentina was the reason he was left out, as questions went unanswered as to his availability that was originally slated as a 1-2 week injury.
Len Ikitau is another name missing and his broken scapula from the same game must be worse than first thought as it was initially thought he’d be back in time for the second pool game at worst.
But that seems to make a mockery of claims Jones has made around injured players as Max Jorgensen has not played since May after a knee injury but is suddenly given all the time he needs to be right to go.
Compare Jones’ injury stance to the All Blacks where they are prepared to give someone like Brodie Retallick all the time he needs to recover from a knee injury he suffered in last week’s game in Dunedin.
Lucky brigade
There are a number of players who didn’t not play a minute in the recent Rugby Championship where the Wallabies failed to win a game and brought up the ear of the table. Players like Matt Philip and Ben Donaldson can consider themselves lucky. Donaldson’s 2023 season with the Waratahs was underwhelming leaving open suggestions the ‘Randwick Mafia’ have struck again.
In recent years, Donaldson has lost games at club, state and Test level with his erratic goal kicking. He started the Wales Test on the end of year tour and while the Wallabies won, they were well behind when he left the field for Noah Lolesio as they mounted a miraculous 39-34 comeback.
Ryan Lonergan is another player who must be scratching his head. He was involved in the squad but also failed to register any minutes as he sat behind Nic White and Tate McDermott only to be overtake by Issak Fines-Leleiawasa who did have a fine 40 minute cameo against Tonga for Australia A. Why Lonergan was not afforded any game time in that match remains a mystery that only Jones can answer. It means that Lonergan hasn’t played any games since the Brumbies semi-final exit in June when he could have been playing for his club side back in Canberra.
Another curious case is the one of Suliasi Vunivalu. It’s clear that he has struggled to do anything at Test level and looks totally lost. His game against South Africa in Pretoria was poor and copped a yellow card to top of his day. His positioning is terrible and made Tom Wright, who had his own issues, look far worse than he was and see’s Wright miss out for a known passenger.
Langi Gleeson is another one who is lucky. He takes the place of Pete Samu who for some unknown mystery is consigned to playing club footy in Canberra (more on that later) and his versatility is something Jones should have taken advantage of. Gleeson is not as dynamic as Samu but Jones must see something in him to give him a shot.
There is a big risk only naming one fly half in Carter Gordon who is easing his way into the Test arena. Not having an experienced had to guide him and have little chats and pointers is leaving him with a big responsibility. There aren’t any specialist 10’s, unless you include Donaldson in that count. It also means there are only three recognised goal kickers with Nic White in that list with Gordon and Donaldson.
Super Rugby form
The breakdown of the squad makes for interesting reading with the ACT Brumbies, Australia’s best team for the last two years running, snubbed with their representatives with only 6.
The Melbourne Rebels who finished second last have seven representatives, the Waratahs somehow have eight, the Queensland Reds seven and the Western Force just one.
This will bring into question what is the point of the Super Rugby competition if you’re best side is overlooked for mediocrity and when it all turns to custard and the Wallabies don’t make it out of their pool. Jones will likely use his limited lead in period as the reason but the fans won’t cop that.
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 (c)
Back Row
Langi Gleeson, Tom Hooper, Rob Leota, Fraser McReight, Rob Valetini
Scrumhalves
Issak Fines-Leleiwasa, Tate McDermott (vc), Nic White
Flyhalves
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
