Wallabies squad CONFIRMED: Beale's back and 13 new boys including Cale, ex-All Black

[volvo]

Five Force players selected in Wallabies squad for Wales & Georgia Tests

Fri, Jun 21, 2024, 9:05 AM
Western Force Media

Five Western Force players have been rewarded for strong 2024 Super Rugby Pacific campaigns with selection in the Wallabies’ squad for the upcoming Tests against Wales and Georgia.

Kurtley Beale, Ben Donaldson, Hamish Stewart, Nic White and Jeremy Williams have all been selected into the 38-member squad which will assemble for a camp in Brisbane.

Force captain Williams, 23, and inside-centre Stewart have earned their maiden Wallabies call-ups. Stewart has previously represented the Junior Wallabies and Australia A.

Beale’s recall, having last played for Australia in late 2021, comes after returning to Super Rugby ranks mid-season with the Force, impressing across the back-end of the season. Beale is five caps away from becoming the first Indigenous player to reach 100 caps for Australia.

White, who has 63 international caps, and Donaldson, who has seven caps, were both part of Australia’s 2023 Rugby World Cup squad and have retained their places.

The squad will assemble in Brisbane on Sunday for a four-day camp as they begin preparations for their first Test of 2024 against Wales in Sydney on July 6.

Wallabies head coach Joe Schmidt said: “There were some very tight selection calls, as there always are when selecting a National Team.

"The coaching group has looked hard at on-field performances and had ongoing discussions with Super Rugby coaches.

"We’ve combined the observations we’ve made, with some candid discussion and feel that we have some very good players to start working with, while also acknowledging that there are some good players who have missed selection.

“We have a short runway into our first Test, so we’re just keen to get to work and make as much progress as we can over the four days we have in Brisbane.”

Wallabies 2024 Home Tests

July Tests

Wallabies v Wales, 5:45pm AWST, Saturday July 6 at Allianz Stadium, Sydney

Wallabies v Wales, 5:45pm AWST, Saturday July 13 at AAMI Park, Melbourne

Wallabies v Georgia, 1:45pm AWST, Saturday July 20 at Allianz Stadium, Sydney

The Rugby Championship/Bledisloe Cup

Wallabies v South Africa, 12:30pm AWST, Saturday August 10 at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane

Wallabies v South Africa, 5:45pm AWST, Saturday August 17 at Optus Stadium, Perth

Wallabies v New Zealand, 1:45pm AWST, Saturday September 21 at Accor Stadium, Sydney

Forwards (21)

Allan Alaalatoa (#896), West Harbour Juniors)
Angus Blyth (uncapped, Casuarina Beach Rugby Club)
Charlie Cale (uncapped, Beecroft Junior Rugby Club)
Matt Faessler (#969, USQ Saints)
Nick Frost (#953, Hornsby Lions)
Langi Gleeson (#960, Harbord Harlequins)
Alex Hodgman (uncapped, Sunnybank Dragons)
Tom Hooper (#964, Bathurst Bulldogs)
Isaac Kailea (uncapped, Harlequin Junior Rugby Club)
Fraser McReight (#937, Albany Creek Brumbies)
Josh Nasser (uncapped, Easts Rugby (Brisbane))
Zane Nonggorr (#966, Gold Coast Eagles)
Billy Pollard (#958, Lindfield Junior Rugby Club)
Lukhan Salakaia-Loto (#914, Randwick)
Ryan Smith (uncapped, Caboolture Snakes)
James Slipper (#843, Bond Pirates)
Taniela Tupou (#917, Brothers Rugby (Brisbane))
Rob Valetini (#929, Harlequin Junior Rugby Club)
Jeremy Williams (uncapped, Wahroonga Tigers)
Harry Wilson (#933, Gunnedah Red Devils)
Liam Wright (#928, Easts Rugby (Brisbane))

Backs (17)

Kurtley Beale (#836, Northern Suburbs (Sydney))
Filipo Daugunu (#931, Wests Rugby Club (Brisbane))
Ben Donaldson (#962, Clovelly Eagles)
David Feliuai (uncapped, Sunnybank Dragons)
Josh Flook (uncapped, Brothers Rugby (Brisbane))
Jake Gordon (#925, Canterbury Juniors)
Len Ikitau (#944, Tuggeranong Vikings)
Andrew Kellaway (#943, Hunters Hill Rugby Club)
Darby Lancaster (uncapped, Kempsey Cannonballs)
Noah Lolesio (#934, Tuggeranong Vikings)
Tom Lynagh (uncapped, University of Queensland)
Tate McDermott (#936, Flinders Rugby Club)
Hunter Paisami (#932, Harlequin Junior Rugby Club)
Dylan Pietsch (uncapped, Leeton Phantoms)
Hamish Stewart (uncapped, Toowoomba Bears)
Nic White (#875, Maitland Blacks)
Tom Wright (#939, Clovelly Eagles)

Unavailable for selection

Recovering from injury
Angus Bell
Harry Johnson-Holmes
Max Jorgensen
Rob Leota
Lachlan Lonergan
David Porecki
Blake Schoupp

Australia Sevens
Corey Toole

Heading Offshore
Izaia Perese
Izack Rodda
Lachie Swinton
Jordan Uelese

Heading to NRL
Carter Gordon
Mark Nawaqanitawase (And Australia Sevens)

Reds 13
Brumbies 10
Rebels 7
Force 5
Waratahs 3

https://www.theroar.com.au/2024/06/2...rst-selection/

[Kernow]

Forwards (21)
Allan Alaalatoa (#896), West Harbour Juniors)
Angus Blyth (uncapped, Casuarina Beach Rugby Club)
Charlie Cale (uncapped, Beecroft Junior Rugby Club)
Matt Faessler (#969, USQ Saints)
Nick Frost (#953, Hornsby Lions)
Langi Gleeson (#960, Harbord Harlequins)
Alex Hodgman (uncapped, Sunnybank Dragons)
Tom Hooper (#964, Bathurst Bulldogs)
Isaac Kailea (uncapped, Harlequin Junior Rugby Club)
Fraser McReight (#937, Albany Creek Brumbies)
Josh Nasser (uncapped, Easts Rugby (Brisbane))
Zane Nonggorr (#966, Gold Coast Eagles)
Billy Pollard (#958, Lindfield Junior Rugby Club)
Lukhan Salakaia-Loto (#914, Randwick)
Ryan Smith (uncapped, Caboolture Snakes)
James Slipper (#843, Bond Pirates)
Taniela Tupou (#917, Brothers Rugby (Brisbane))
Rob Valetini (#929, Harlequin Junior Rugby Club)
Jeremy Williams (uncapped, Wahroonga Tigers)
Harry Wilson (#933, Gunnedah Red Devils)
Liam Wright (#928, Easts Rugby (Brisbane))

Backs (17)
Kurtley Beale (#836, Northern Suburbs (Sydney))
Filipo Daugunu (#931, Wests Rugby Club (Brisbane))
Ben Donaldson (#962, Clovelly Eagles)
David Feliuai (uncapped, Sunnybank Dragons)
Josh Flook (uncapped, Brothers Rugby (Brisbane))
Jake Gordon (#925, Canterbury Juniors)
Len Ikitau (#944, Tuggeranong Vikings)
Andrew Kellaway (#943, Hunters Hill Rugby Club)
Darby Lancaster (uncapped, Kempsey Cannonballs)
Noah Lolesio (#934, Tuggeranong Vikings)
Tom Lynagh (uncapped, University of Queensland)
Tate McDermott (#936, Flinders Rugby Club)
Hunter Paisami (#932, Harlequin Junior Rugby Club)
Dylan Pietsch (uncapped, Leeton Phantoms)
Hamish Stewart (uncapped, Toowoomba Bears)
Nic White (#875, Maitland Blacks)
Tom Wright (#939, Clovelly Eagles)
https://www.theroar.com.au/2024/06/2...rst-selection/

I think I am most pleased for Jez and Mish - they are well-recognized for some massive shifts in SR.

[Garry Owen]

I think I am most pleased for Jez and Mish - they are well-recognized for some massive shifts in SR.

Yes awesome for those 2. I think kuenzle deserved a spot and Tizzano as a back up 7 and no other genuine 7 in the squad

Not sure how canham didnt make it or Swain, both easily better than blyth

[Jules]

Great to see some force players like Williams and Stewart. Hope they all go well

[.X.]

some useless information.

My daughter, the Zoe Monster, went to high school with Darby Lancaster (Rebels, Kempsey Cannonballs). I am trying to get her to put him in contact with me. So I can start the recruiting process for the Force.

The problem is Zoe claims that she doesn't know him that well, and has only spoken to him a couple of times in 4 years.

Oh well, I tried.

[GIGS20]

Ok, based upon this first squad I've done some number crunching and selected a likely first pick 23 for the Wales squad.

My methodology was to list each player's first choice position and any backup position if I beleived they were capable of playing it at International level. Wherever there was a question I went by what they played most in the 2024 season (as that was likely what caught Joes eye)

Example, I listed Daugunu as a 13 with a backup on the wing (I think he's a better shot at wing than 13).

I then ranked the likely candidates for each position with a personal preference (eg I placed Kellaway above Wright in fullback because I think Kells is simply a more reliable option, no real science to this) I then picked the best candidate for each number and then compared to the lower ranked players in other positions who were able to play that position.

The easiest pick? 7, there was only one genuine 7 named
the hardest pick? 9, I struggled to separate White and McDermott as an overall pick, I think they'll be rotating pretty heavily with horses for courses being the order of the day.

The list I ended up with went like this
1 Slipper
2 Faessler
3 Alaalatoa
4 Salakia-Loto
5 Frost
6 Wright (but went back and forth with Cale and Gleeson)
7 McReight
8 Valetini
9 White
10 Lolesio
11 Lancaster (surprisingly, not many options on the wing)
12 Paisami
13 Ikitau
14 Wright
15 Kellaway
16 Pollard
17 Hodgman
18 Tupou
19 Smith (but could easily be Williams, Cale or Hooper)
20 Gleeson (or Cale or Williams or Hooper)
21 McDermott
22 Daugunu (for versatility)
23 Donaldson (ditto Daugunu)

If Harry Wilson proves fit, I'd heartily swap him in for Gleeson.

People who need a run before TRC
Cale, Stewart (need a look), and probably all the props, because we need them fit to manage injuries.

Waddaya think? agree? think I'm an opinionated twat?

Discuss

[Kernow]

some useless information.

My daughter, the Zoe Monster, went to high school with Darby Lancaster (Rebels, Kempsey Cannonballs). I am trying to get her to put him in contact with me. So I can start the recruiting process for the Force.

The problem is Zoe claims that she doesn't know him that well, and has only spoken to him a couple of times in 4 years.

Oh well, I tried.

You on Instagram? just bail him up and introduce yourself as Zoe Monster's dad - if she hates that idea enough, she might oblige by contacting him herself!

[Garry Owen]

Ok, based upon this first squad I've done some number crunching and selected a likely first pick 23 for the Wales squad.

My methodology was to list each player's first choice position and any backup position if I beleived they were capable of playing it at International level. Wherever there was a question I went by what they played most in the 2024 season (as that was likely what caught Joes eye)

Example, I listed Daugunu as a 13 with a backup on the wing (I think he's a better shot at wing than 13).

I then ranked the likely candidates for each position with a personal preference (eg I placed Kellaway above Wright in fullback because I think Kells is simply a more reliable option, no real science to this) I then picked the best candidate for each number and then compared to the lower ranked players in other positions who were able to play that position.

The easiest pick? 7, there was only one genuine 7 named
the hardest pick? 9, I struggled to separate White and McDermott as an overall pick, I think they'll be rotating pretty heavily with horses for courses being the order of the day.

The list I ended up with went like this
1 Slipper
2 Faessler
3 Alaalatoa
4 Salakia-Loto
5 Frost
6 Wright (but went back and forth with Cale and Gleeson)
7 McReight
8 Valetini
9 White
10 Lolesio
11 Lancaster (surprisingly, not many options on the wing)
12 Paisami
13 Ikitau
14 Wright
15 Kellaway
16 Pollard
17 Hodgman
18 Tupou
19 Smith (but could easily be Williams, Cale or Hooper)
20 Gleeson (or Cale or Williams or Hooper)
21 McDermott
22 Daugunu (for versatility)
23 Donaldson (ditto Daugunu)

If Harry Wilson proves fit, I'd heartily swap him in for Gleeson.

People who need a run before TRC
Cale, Stewart (need a look), and probably all the props, because we need them fit to manage injuries.

Waddaya think? agree? think I'm an opinionated twat?

Discuss

I think you have Wright and Kellaway the wrong way around, other than that it looks good. Don’t think Gleeson has done enough for bench spot, would like to see Cale there

[Burgs]

agree? think I'm an opinionated twat?

Do we have to choose?

Given your methodology it stacks up mate

In this scenario, if Jumbuck Joe did think Wright a lock-in pick, it wouldn't surprise me if he makes him Captain.
Alaalatoa is definitely regarded as a "leader of men", but I think our Captain needs to be getting closer to 80 than 60 in a match.
Slipper and McDermott have both served the role and, with White, suspect will make up the leadership group.
I'm not a fan of the McReight for Captain proposal as suggested by some and am certainly anti Co-Captain in anything.

[Burgs]

Couple of surprises for me:

Isaac Kailea- started 6/13 to average 44 minutes this year, 6/22 matches in 4 seasons at the Rebels. (Without a full handle on the plethora of Prop injuries it's tricky to advocate an alternative as I have below with Horton. Talakai's omission if not injured may suggest heading Offshore?)

Josh Nasser- started 1/15 matches to average 23 minutes (if you take away the one 50 minute start that drops considerably) for the season. 6/38 matches in 4 seasons at the Reds (Horton started 14/14 matches to average 64 minutes for the season. 34/58 matches in 5 seasons at the Waratahs/Leicester/Force)

If you can't force your way into the starting side at Provincial then surely it's premature to expose you at Test?

Feliuai has been described as "the biggest bolter" by some in the media, but I think that title, Feliuai's season comparatively, should go to one of the Tight's above.

I'd also think Jake Gordon should consider himself fortunate. He has occasional moments of brilliance, usually for runaway tries, but otherwise strikes me as very pedestrian.

[Burgs]

A bit more detail now in original post.

[GIGS20]

I think you have Wright and Kellaway the wrong way around, other than that it looks good. Don’t think Gleeson has done enough for bench spot, would like to see Cale there

Yeah, the Wright/Kellaway thing is definitely. a personal opinion, I put Wright on the wing because I don't think his brain is suited any better to International rugby this year than last, he's just gotten away with it at Super Level. Having him on the wing lessens the risks and Kellaway has proven to be a good operator in the role internationally.

Gleeson/Cale was a much harder pick between those two and Wright I shuffled about 18 times, with each of them sitting in the team/the bench/Left Right Out on multiple occasions.

In the end, I decided to start the year with a bit more experience in order to bed down a playing style and would be looking to bring Cale in possibly for the second test or maybe against Georgia when the team is a bit more settled with how things are going to work and you don't have the Debut messing with the "finding our shape"

I've followed that philosophy through much of the team with the only notable exception being Lancaster starting on the wing. It was more a statement about the lack of experienced options out wide than a reversal of the philosophy.

I could have put Donaldson into 15 and Kellaway/Wright on the wings I guess, but there's more cost in that than profit for my dollar.

[GIGS20]

Do we have to choose?

It's never stopped you before mate?

In this scenario, if Jumbuck Joe did think Wright a lock-in pick,

Yeah, but Wright is FAR from a lock in pick for my money. I tussled over the 6 spot as much as the 9 and I really don't think any of those direct 6/8 hard running backrowers will lock the spot away for a long time. The promise of Cale, given how long he would be around if he makes it comes pretty close to outweighing the experience and general unfappableness of Wright or the sheer power of Gleeson.

Whilst 9 will involve a rotation policy and horses for courses, 6 will be a game of musical chairs until the best mix is found.

[Burgs]

Yeah, but Wright is FAR from a lock in pick for my money. I tussled over the 6 spot as much as the 9 and I really don't think any of those direct 6/8 hard running backrowers will lock the spot away for a long time. The promise of Cale, given how long he would be around if he makes it comes pretty close to outweighing the experience and general unfappableness of Wright or the sheer power of Gleeson.

Whilst 9 will involve a rotation policy and horses for courses, 6 will be a game of musical chairs until the best mix is found.

Agreed, he is not a lock-in for mine, but would be one of my favoured Captains in the Squad.

Would be unorthodox, but I guess an ugly alternative for 2024 would be to have an equivalent to a "Club Captain" (probably Alaalatoa) and then have the "1st XV Captain" for each match. Better for it to be official from the outset than the dart board we had last year. Then 2025 select the long term Wallaby Captain when the prospects have been road tested.

One nonstarter for me, along with Co-Captain's, is I disagree with an Overseas Captain too.
Filled the void in an all around unique season last year. but should be strongly discouraged from becoming common practice.

[Tazzmania]

What a refreshing interview to watch Joe Schmidt talk about the team and the selections on Stan in "First Squad".

He talks about the selections, the process to find a captain, and that the team needs to be hard working so that they can win the fans back.

No spin, talks humbly, and just like Cron wants to work with the players to make them better. It was all about "we" and not "I".

Went up another notch in my humble opinion.