Eddie Jones makes major changes to Wallabies squad for Bledisloe Cup

[The InnFORCEr]

Thu, Jul 20, 2023, 8:30 AM
Nathan Williamson



Wallabies coach Eddie Jones has confirmed a 34-player squad for the Bledisloe Cup series.

Jones has made major changes with fullback Tom Wright the notable omission from the squad after two straight defeats to start the season.

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Wright has been left out of the squad along with Brumbies teammate Pete Samu and Rebel Reece Hodge.

Josh Kemeny and Matt Gibbon along with Reds prop Zane Nonggorr have also made way, with Pone Fa'amausili and Blake Schoupp retaining their place in the squad after they were late inclusions for the Sydney Test.

It comes as a host of players return from injury, headlined by Rebel Andrew Kellaway.

Kellaway is joined by backrower Langi Gleeson and outside back Jordan Petaia for the Tests in Melbourne and Dunedin.

Prop Taniela Tupou has also been confirmed to return after coming back via Australia A last week in Tonga.


“We’re very disappointed with the results during stage one of our campaign," Jones said in a statement.

“We need to find more in stage two and Melbourne will be ground where we will find our best.”

Co-captain Michael Hooper has been named in the rehab group, although remained confident he will be fit for the opening Bledisloe Test at the MCG on July 29.

The squad will assemble on the Gold Coast today for a three-day camp before heading to Melbourne.

WALLABIES SQUAD FOR BLEDISLOE CUP

Forwards

Allan Alaalatoa (29, ACT Brumbies, 66 Tests)

Richie Arnold (33, Stade Toulousain, 2 Tests)

Angus Bell (22, NSW Waratahs, 21 Tests)

Pone Fa’amausili (26, Melbourne Rebels, 4 Tests)

Matt Faessler (24, Queensland Reds, uncapped)

Nick Frost (23, ACT Brumbies, 10 Tests)

Langi Gleeson (21, NSW Waratahs, 3 Tests)

Jed Holloway (30, NSW Waratahs, 11 Tests)

Tom Hooper (22, ACT Brumbies, 1 Test)

Rob Leota (26, Melbourne Rebels, 14 Tests)

Fraser McReight (24, Queensland Reds, 11 Tests)

Matt Philip (29, Melbourne Rebels, 28 Tests)

David Porecki (30, NSW Waratahs, 12 Tests)

Will Skelton (31, La Rochelle, 26 Tests)

Blake Schoupp (23, ACT Brumbies, uncapped)

James Slipper (co-captain) (34, ACT Brumbies, 129 Tests)

Taniela Tupou (27, Queensland Reds, 47 Tests)

Jordan Uelese (26, Melbourne Rebels, 17 Tests)

Rob Valetini (24, ACT Brumbies, 32 Tests)

Backs

Quade Cooper (35, Kintetsu Liners, 78 Tests)

Lalakai Foketi (28, NSW Waratahs, 5 Tests)

Carter Gordon (22, Melbourne Rebels, 2 Tests)

Andrew Kellaway (27, Melbourne Rebels, 21 Tests)

Samu Kerevi (29, Urayasu D-Rocks, 43 Tests)

Marika Koroibete (30, Saitama Wild Knights, 53 Tests)

Ryan Lonergan (25, ACT Brumbies, uncapped)

Tate McDermott (24, Queensland Reds, 23 Tests)

Mark Nawaqanitawase (22, NSW Waratahs, 4 Tests)

Izaia Perese (26, NSW Waratahs, 3 Tests)

Jordan Petaia (23, Queensland Reds, 25 Tests)

Suliasi Vunivalu (27, Queensland Reds, 2 Tests)

Nic White (33, ACT Brumbies, 61 Tests)

Utility

Ben Donaldson (23, NSW Waratahs, 2 Tests)

Dylan Pietsch (25, NSW Waratahs, uncapped)

Rehab Group

Michael Hooper (co-captain) (31, NSW Waratahs, 125 Tests)

Not considered for selection due to injury

Len Ikitau

Max Jorgensen

Tom Robertson

Izack Rodda

https://www.rugby.com.au/news/update...-jones-2023719

[The InnFORCEr]

It seems to me that Eddie is building for 2027.

6 players with 50+ tests
9 players with 20 - 50 tests

[Burgs]

Surprised about Wright (not saying not justified, just surprised) but as a whole the group needed the wake up call I think.
Some important in's, however, if this lot don't fire then starting to run out of time and options.

[Garry Owen]

Thought Faingaa might have got back in, the other hookers are junk

Wright is not great but still would be a better winger than Vunivalu

[jargan83]

I hope the Police will be on hand because the All Blacks are going to straight up commit a Murder.

[Darren]

I hope the Police will be on hand because the All Blacks are going to straight up commit a Murder.

I see you're making the most out of your dad card ...

[jargan83]

I see you're making the most out of your dad card ...

Wasn't even an attempt at a joke but an observation that the All Blacks are going to do bad things to the Wallabies.