Dave Rennie confirms International Wallaby selections

Thu, 09/06/2022, 11:55 am
Nathan Williamson


Wallabies coach Dave Rennie has confirmed Quade Cooper, Samu Kerevi and Marika Koroibete as the three International selections for the England series.

The Wallabies will name a 35-player squad on Sunday as it was announced they will host the first International event at the new Allianz Stadium when they face South Africa on September 3.

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With discussions brewing about the make-up of the squad, Rennie confirmed what had been expected with the backline trio set to reunite with the national squad.

“It’s probably not that secret anyway but we’ve got Quade, Samu and Marika all coming back,” he told reporters.

“Quade and Samu are here in Sydney just getting medical checks, Marika went straight to Fiji to spend some time with his family and he’ll be back on the weekend.

“It’s exciting. I’m not sure if you saw the (Japanese League One) Final with Panasonic and Marika was phenomenal so he hasn’t lost any of his physicality or his work ethic so we’re excited to see him back.”

The decision comes after Rugby Australia confirmed a change to the infamous 'Giteau Law', allowing three International selections for the national sides.

Given their impact during the Rugby Championship, it was a clear-cut decision according to Rennie, impressed with their performances in Japan.


“You look at Quade, he had a massive impact and a really calming influence, he was so impressive with the group,” he admits.

“I thought he was great with Noah (Lolesio) and even when Noah was playing and Quade wasn’t, he’d sit down at the computer with him and talk through a lot of things and his contribution to meetings was great.

“Samu only played a couple of Tests but was nominated for (World Rugby) Player of the Year which only highlights the impact he had.

“Marika is one of the best wingers in the world. I’m not sure there’s another winger with his work ethic and repeatability. He’s just top gear all day so we’re looking forward to getting that back.”

Rennie left the door open for further players to be selected later in the year, including La Rochelle lock Will Skelton, who was called in for the Spring Tour.

“He’s missed a bit of footy this year but that’s the challenge of guys coming out of France, they go deep into the season and it’s a hell of a long year,” Rennie explained.

“We brought him in last year and he fitted in well. We’re not looking at bringing him in for England series but maybe after that.”

As for any other hints about who will be called into the squad when it gets announced at the end of the week?

“I’ll clarify on Sunday,” Rennie said with a grin.

https://www.rugby.com.au/news/wallab...-kerevi-202269

I’ve just read no force players not even Rodda! Is he injured?

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Originally Posted by Jules

I’ve just read no force players not even Rodda! Is he injured?

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And yet Phillip, Leota, Fa'Aumasili and Kellaway all get call ups.If Rodda isn't injured it's a travesty, but probably a fair call that Feleti isn't there.

Just been told he is injured so that explains that but still kind of sucks! Hopefully we get a good look in at Australia A

Wallabies coach Dave Rennie has named a 35-player squad for the three Test series against England.

NSW Waratahs pair Jed Holloway and David Porecki are amongst the six uncapped players in the squad as the Wallabies look for their first win over England since 2015.

They are joined by Brumbies locks Nick Frost and Cadeyrn Neville along with Rebels prop Pone Fa'amausili.

Reds flyer Suliasi Vunivalu has also earned a call-up after strong performances following his return from injury.

Japanese-based trio Quade Cooper, Marika Koroibete and Samu Kerevi are the overseas inclusions after strong performances in the Spring Tour.

“The core of this squad is a group who have performed strongly for us over the last two seasons, while strong form in Super Rugby Pacific has been rewarded with a handful of new faces," Rennie said in a statement.

"The past two years have allowed us to build strong foundations as a group but there's no doubt that we have a lot more in us.

"We're looking forward to working hard and preparing as a group to put in performances that make our supporters proud against England next month."

The squad is comprised of 15 Brumbies, seven Queensland Reds, six Waratahs, four Melbourne Rebels and three from Japanese-based clubs.

The group will assemble on the Sunshine Coast from Thursday as they prepare for the three-Test series against Eddie Jones' team, with the opener scheduled at Optus Stadium in Perth on July 2.

The series will then move to Brisbane (July 9) before heading to Sydney (July 16) for the decider

All games will be shown LIVE on Stan Sport and Channel Nine, with tickets available atwallabies.rugby/tickets.

WALLABIES SQUAD FOR ENGLAND SERIES
Allan Alaalatoa (28, Brumbies, 53 Tests)

Tom Banks (27, Brumbies, 19 Tests)

Angus Bell (21, NSW Waratahs, 16 Tests)

Quade Cooper (34, Kintetsu Liners, 75 Tests)

Pone Fa'amausili (25, Melbourne Rebels, uncapped)

Folau Fainga'a (27, Brumbies, 25 Tests)

Nick Frost (22, Brumbies, uncapped)

Jake Gordon (28, NSW Waratahs, 10 Tests)

Michael Hooper (c) (30, NSW Waratahs, 118 Tests)

Jed Holloway (29, NSW Waratahs, uncapped)

Len Ikitau (23, Brumbies, 13 Tests)

Andrew Kellaway (26, Melbourne Rebels, 13 Tests)

Samu Kerevi (28, Suntory Sungoliath, 38 Tests)

Marika Koroibete (29, Saitama Wild Knights, 42 Tests)

Rob Leota (25, Melbourne Rebels, 6 Tests)

Noah Lolesio (22, Brumbies, 9 Tests)

Lachlan Lonergan (22, Brumbies, 4 Tests)

Tate McDermott (23, Queensland Reds, 15 Tests)

Cadeyrn Neville (33, Brumbies, uncapped)

James O’Connor (31, Queensland Reds, 61 Tests)

Hunter Paisami (24, Queensland Reds, 15 Tests)

Izaia Perese (25, NSW Waratahs, 2 Tests)

Jordan Petaia (22, Queensland Reds, 16 Tests)

Matt Philip (28, Melbourne Rebels, 20 Tests)

David Porecki (29, NSW Waratahs, uncapped)

Pete Samu (30, Brumbies, 19 Tests)

Scott Sio (30, Brumbies, 69 Tests)

James Slipper (33, Brumbies, 114 Tests)

Darcy Swain (24, Brumbies, 10 Tests)

Taniela Tupou (26, Queensland Reds, 38 Tests)

Rob Valetini (23, Brumbies, 18 Tests)

Suliasi Vunivalu (26, Queensland Reds, uncapped)

Nic White (31, Brumbies, 47 Tests)

Harry Wilson (22, Queensland Reds, 10 Tests)

Tom Wright (24, Brumbies, 10 Tests)

Hard to argue anyone really showed enough this year to get a look at the Wallabies. They've all got eight months sitting around and thinking about it now, so I guess we'll just have to see how much that improves their games. Hopefully that many repetitions of the little touch drill they run won't have turned running directly at the nearest defender and lying down on the least contact into muscle memory... :sadno:

I'd have to agree Andy. If Rodda is excluded due to injury there isn't anybody else pushing hard for selection.

But Fa'Amausili and Leota really didn't push very hard either.

The only player I would've picked was Rodda. I can only assume he isn't 100%- have read a foot injury has him out for 3 months.

Rodda was good early in the comp, not bad later in a struggling side and then didn't really feature against the Kiwi sides after getting COVID.

The only other is Pulu come to think of it. Maybe he'll feature for Aus A.

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Originally Posted by James

The only other is Pulu come to think of it. Maybe he'll feature for Aus A.

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Pulu will get a call up once Tom wrights frailties are exposed once again.Lots of the Brumbies look really good playing super rugby for the Brumbies but don't look good enough when playing international rugby

Rodda blow, Vunivalu nears Wallabies debut
Sun, 12/06/2022, 11:40 am
AAP


Wallabies coach Dave Rennie admits he'll need to re-think his overseas picks following the three Tests against England after revealing lock Izack Rodda faces up to three months on the sideline with a foot injury.

Rodda, a Test regular, had previously been confident he could feature in next month's Tests against Eddie Jones' touring side but the Western Force star is now likely to miss those and also the ensuing Rugby Championship.

Don't miss out! Purchase your tickets for the Wallabies' three-Test series against England
Rennie named a 35-man squad on Sunday for the England series, with Japan-based trio Quade Cooper, Marika Koroibete and Samu Kerevi the three overseas selections Rennie is allowed under the Giteau Law.

But the coach acknowledged one of that trio could make way after the July series for one of France-based forwards Rory Arnold or Will Skelton to fill the void set to be left by Rodda.

"It is worse (than expected); he could be out for as much as three months," Rennie said of Rodda, who was among the Wallabies' best last year.

"The issue (with selecting the France-based players to face England) is that they played quarter-finals overnight (and getting) clarity on when they're available.

"It's easier to leave those guys out of the England series and maybe have a look at it again post that."

Rennie hinted a debut Test cap for NRL star Suliasi Vunivalu was close and simply said he was "confident" the off-contract Queensland Reds winger would remain in Australian rugby beyond this season.

"We've picked him because of his massive potential and we think he can accelerate development inside the camp," Rennie said.

"He's had his troubles with injury - we've seen glimpses of real quality - we are just keen to get our hands on him."


Rennie said versatile back Reece Hodge's mixed form and "scratchy start to the season" counted against him while Matt To'omua's international career appears over after he too was overlooked for the squad.

In-form Reds' No.7 Fraser McReight was another notable omission, Rennie not keen to carry another specialist on the bench behind captain Michael Hooper and preferring to free McReight to feature for Australia A in the three-game Pacific Nations Cup campaign.

Also in the national squad for the first time are NSW Waratahs forwards Jed Holloway and Dave Porecki - the frontrunner to start at hooker - and 33-year-old Brumbies lock Caderyn Neville.

Tighthead prop Pone Fa'amausili and Brumbies second rower Nick Frost are the other two uncapped players selected.

Cooper, James O'Connor and Noah Lolesio are the chosen playmakers, Rennie confident O'Connor will be fit despite knee and hamstring issues.

His Reds teammate Taniela Tupou is hopeful of overcoming his knee injury to play, while Kurtley Beale is due back in Australia following his French rugby stint but wasn't considered after hamstring and calf issues.

The group will assemble on the Sunshine Coast from Thursday, with the opener at Optus Stadium in Perth on July 2 before the second Test at Brisbane's Suncorp Stadium on July 9 and a potential decider at the Sydney Cricket Ground on July 16.

https://www.rugby.com.au/news/wallab...-debut-2022612

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Originally Posted by James

The only other is Pulu come to think of it. Maybe he'll feature for Aus A.

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Hopefully Anstee and Kaituu get a look in with Aus A as well

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Originally Posted by Buddha Handy

Hopefully Anstee and Kaituu get a look in with Aus A as well

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You'd have to think Kaitu'u is a lock for Aus A selection, however if Dan McKellar has any influence on the squad, I'd expect the reserve hooker for Tuggeranong to get in ahead of anybody outside the Brumbies organisation.

https://youtu.be/cZoPWJovhW0