Hooper returns as Wallabies confirm squad for Spring Tour
Sun, Oct 16, 2022, 9:42 AM
Nathan Williamson
Dave Rennie has named Michael Hooper to return as the Wallabies confirm their squad for the Spring Tour.
Hooper has not been involved in the Wallabies squad since their tour of Argentina, returning home for personal reasons.
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James Slipper will retain the captaincy for the upcoming tour, set to kick off against Scotland on October 30.
“We've got a massive opportunity over the next five matches to test ourselves against some of the best teams in the world and string together some performances that our supporters are proud of back home in Australia," Rennie said in a statement
"To have Michael back in the group is massive for our team on and off the field and we'll continue to make sure that he has the support around him he needs."
Rennie has also included Will Skelton in the squad, joining Bernard Foley as the overseas selections, with Marika Koroibete returning to his Japanese club.
Skelton made his return to the Wallabies set-up during last year's tour, playing all three games off the bench.
There are five uncapped players in the 36-player squad, headlined by Waratahs duo Ben Donaldson and Mark Nawaqanitawase.
Donaldson completes the flyhalf trio alongside Foley and Noah Lolesio, winning the race ahead of club teammate Tane Edmed.
Meanwhile, Nawaqanitawase has been favoured over the likes of Queensland Reds winger Suliasi Vunivalu following his strong showing for Australia A in Japan.
They are joined by Rebels prop Sam Talakai, Reds fullback Jock Campbell and Waratahs backrower Langi Gleeson.
Experienced duo Tom Banks (arm) and Ned Hanigan (knee) have earned re-calls after missing the majority of the home Tests due to injury.
"It's been really pleasing to continue to get game time into our players through the Australia A program and a number of those guys have been rewarded for their form with selection in the squad," Rennie added.
The team will assemble in Sydney on Tuesday before departing for the northern hemisphere on Wednesday ahead of the Scotland Test.
They will then plat their first Test against France in Paris since 2016, before moving on to play Italy in Florence.
The Wallabies will round out their 2022 campaign with Tests against Ireland in Dublin and Wales in Cardiff.
Wallabies squad for the 2022 Spring Tour (age, team, Tests played)
Allan Alaalatoa (28, ACT Brumbies, 60 Tests)
Tom Banks (28, ACT Brumbies, 20 Tests)
Jock Campbell (27, Queensland Reds, uncapped)
Ben Donaldson (23, NSW Waratahs, uncapped)
Folau Fainga'a (27, ACT Brumbies, 33 Tests)
Lalakai Foketi (27, NSW Waratahs, 4 Tests)
Bernard Foley (32, Kubota Spears, 73 Tests)
Nick Frost (23, ACT Brumbies, 5 Tests)
Matt Gibbon (27, Melbourne Rebels, 2 Tests)
Langi Gleeson (21, NSW Waratahs, uncapped)
Jake Gordon (29, NSW Waratahs, 16 Tests)
Ned Hanigan (27, NSW Waratahs, 25 Tests)
Reece Hodge (28, Melbourne Rebels, 60 Tests)
Jed Holloway (29, NSW Waratahs, 6 Tests)
Michael Hooper (30, NSW Waratahs, 121 Tests)
Len Ikitau (24, ACT Brumbies, 21 Tests)
Andrew Kellaway (27, Melbourne Rebels, 18 Tests)
Noah Lolesio (22, ACT Brumbies, 14 Tests)
Lachlan Lonergan (23, ACT Brumbies, 6 Tests)
Mark Nawaqanitawase (22, NSW Waratahs, uncapped)
Tate McDermott (23, Queensland Reds, 18 Tests)
Fraser McReight (23, Queensland Reds, 8 Tests)
Cadeyrn Neville (33, ACT Brumbies, 3 Tests)
Hunter Paisami (24, Queensland Reds, 20 Tests)
Jordan Petaia (22, Queensland Reds, 22 Tests)
Matt Philip (28, Melbourne Rebels, 27 Tests)
David Porecki (29, NSW Waratahs, 7 Tests)
Tom Robertson (28, Western Force, 27 Tests)
Pete Samu (30, ACT Brumbies, 28 Tests)
Will Skelton (30, Stade Rochelais ,21 Tests)
James Slipper (c) (33, ACT Brumbies, 123 Tests)
Sam Talakai (31, Melbourne Rebels, uncapped)
Taniela Tupou (26, Queensland Reds, 43 Tests)
Rob Valetini (24, ACT Brumbies, 27 Tests)
Nic White (32, ACT Brumbies, 56 Tests)
Tom Wright (25, ACT Brumbies, 18 Tests)
2022 Spring Tour Fixtures
Wallabies v Scotland, Sunday 30 October, 3:30am AEDT at BT Murrayfield, Edinburgh
Wallabies v France, Sunday 6 November, 7:00am AEDT at Stade de France, Paris
Wallabies v Italy, Sunday 13 November, 12:00am AEDT at Stadio Artemio Franchi, Florence
Wallabies v Ireland, Sunday 20 November, 7:00am AEDT at Aviva Stadium, Dublin
Wallabies v Wales, Sunday 27 November, 2:15am AEDT at Principality Stadium, Cardiff
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