Wallabies name squad for Bledisloe Cup series
Thu, 08/09/2022, 10:56 am
Nathan Williamson
Wallabies coach Dave Rennie has confirmed a 36-player squad for the Bledisloe Cup series against the All Blacks, headlined by the return of Kurtley Beale and Cadeyrn Neville.
Beale is elevated into the squad after joining as an extended training member for the Springboks series.
The 95-Test back last featured for the Wallabies against Wales in 2021, recovering from a hamstring injury he picked up with French club Racing 92.
Meanwhile, Neville has overcome a knee injury suffered during the second Test defeat to England in July.
His return is timely, with Rory Arnold unavailable as he prepares to welcome the birth of his first child.
“It's great to be able to keep the core of our group together and welcome Cadeyrn back to the mob, while we wish Rory all the best for what's an incredibly exciting time for him and his family," Rennie said in a statement.
"Kurtley is a welcome return to the squad after recovering from a long-term injury and will bring his passion for the jersey along with his wealth of experience at Test level."
The rest of the squad remains unchanged, with playmakers Noah Lolesio and Hunter Paisami named despite suffering concussions in last week's defeat to the Springboks in Sydney.
Jock Campbell and Langi Gleeson remain the uncapped players in the squad, with the group set to re-join on September 9.
The first Test will be held on September 15 at Marvel Stadium, the first Bledisloe Cup match in Victoria since 2010, before a return clash at Auckland's Eden Park on September 24.
"We know how important these next two Tests are with silverware on the line and we'll be expecting a response after the disappointment of last weekend's loss," Rennie added.
Both games in the Bledisloe Cup series will be shown LIVE on Stan Sport and the Nine Network.
Wallabies squad for Bledisloe Cup
Allan Alaalatoa (28, ACT Brumbies, 58 Tests)
Kurtley Beale (31, NSW Waratahs, 95 Tests)
Angus Bell (21, NSW Waratahs, 19 Tests)
Jock Campbell (27, Queensland Reds, uncapped)
Pone Fa'amausili (25, Melbourne Rebels, 1 Test)
Folau Fainga'a (27, ACT Brumbies, 31 Tests)
Lalakai Foketi (27, NSW Waratahs, 2 Tests)
Bernard Foley (32, Kubota Spears, 71 Tests)
Nick Frost (22, ACT Brumbies, 4 Tests)
Langi Gleeson (21, NSW Waratahs, uncapped)
Jake Gordon (29, NSW Waratahs, 14 Tests)
Reece Hodge (28, Melbourne Rebels, 59 Tests)
Jed Holloway (29, NSW Waratahs, 4 Tests)
Len Ikitau (23, ACT Brumbies, 19 Tests)
Andrew Kellaway (26, Melbourne Rebels, 16 Tests)
Marika Koroibete (30, Saitama Wild Knights, 49 Tests)
Rob Leota (25, Melbourne Rebels, 12 Tests)
Noah Lolesio (22, ACT Brumbies, 14 Tests)
Lachlan Lonergan (22, ACT Brumbies, 6 Tests)
Tate McDermott (23, Queensland Reds, 18 Tests)
Fraser McReight (23, Queensland Reds, 6 Tests)
Cadeyrn Neville (33, ACT Brumbies, 2 Tests)
Hunter Paisami (24, Queensland Reds, 20 Tests)
Jordan Petaia (22, Queensland Reds, 20 Tests)
Matt Philip (28, Melbourne Rebels, 26 Tests)
David Porecki (29, NSW Waratahs, 5 Tests)
Pete Samu (30, ACT Brumbies, 26 Tests)
Scott Sio (30, ACT Brumbies, 73 Tests)
James Slipper (33, ACT Brumbies, 121 Tests)
Darcy Swain (25, ACT Brumbies, 15 Tests)
Taniela Tupou (26, Queensland Reds, 43 Tests)
Rob Valetini (24, ACT Brumbies, 25 Tests)
Suliasi Vunivalu (26, Queensland Reds, 1 Test)
Nic White (32, ACT Brumbies, 54 Tests)
Harry Wilson (22, Queensland Reds, 11 Tests)
Tom Wright (25, ACT Brumbies, 16 Tests)
https://www.rugby.com.au/news/wallab...neville-202298
