A clutch of uncapped Rebels players are among the big winners from Dave Rennie’s Wallabies squad to tackle France in three home Tests next month.
Loose forward Michael Wells, lock/flanker Rob Leota, outside back Andrew Kellaway and prop Pone Fa’amausili are all in line to make their Test debuts as Rennie surprisingly named as many Melbourne players (nine) as he did from the Australian champion Reds.
The Brumbies had 12 players picked, the Waratahs six and the Force just two – which will trigger some grumbles out west given they were far more competitive in Super Rugby than a winless NSW.
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New Force recruit Izack Rodda was overlooked but Rebels returnee Matt Philip was picked in the second row along with 34-year-old strong man Sitaleki Timani.
Timani – who last played for Australia in 2013 – is a real outlier in a squad featuring 11 uncapped players and a further 14 with less than 10 Tests to their name.
Waratahs duo Izaia Perese and Lachie Swinton were both included despite being injured and red carded respectively in Saturday’s 40-7 loss to the Chiefs at Brookvale Oval.
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Rennie confirmed his squad on a Stan Sport special on Sunday alongside captain Michael Hooper.
The 38 man squad will convene on Tuesday on the Gold Coast to prepare for the series opener on July 7 in Sydney.
The Wallabies will play three Tests in 11 days.
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“We’ve picked this squad on form and on potential, and I know the whole group is really excited to get stuck in and push their case for a Wallaby jersey against France,” Rennie said.
“Obviously the squad is a bit bigger than what we would normally have but we had to consider how we will handle the rigours of the series against France.
“We’ll get together on Tuesday and then start our preparations in earnest for what promises to be a really exciting series against a side that’s at the top of its game.”
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NSW captain Jake Gordon is picked despite missing Saturday’s game with a knee injury while uncapped teammate Lalakai Foketi is included as a midfield option.
Hooker remains the biggest area of concern with the uncapped Lachlan Lonergan and Feleti Kaitu’u chosen along with France-bound Reds rake Brandon Paenga-Amosa.
Reds strike weapons Jordan Petaia and Suliasi Vunivalu were not considered due to injury.
Wallabies squad: Michael Hooper (c), Allan Alaalatoa, Tom Banks, Angus Bell, Filipo Daugunu, Pone Fa’amausili, Lalakai Foketi, Jake Gordon, Reece Hodge, Len Ikitau, Feleti Kaitu’u, Andrew Kellaway, Marika Koroibete, Rob Leota, Noah Lolesio, Lachlan Lonergan, Tate McDermott, Fraser McReight, Andy Muirhead, Isi Naisarani, James O’Connor, Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Hunter Paisami, Izaia Perese, Matt Philip, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Scott Sio, Darcy Swain, Lachie Swinton, Sitaleki Timani, Matt To’omua, Taniela Tupou, Rob Valetini, Michael Wells, Nic White, Harry Wilson, Tom Wright
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