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Australia A squad named to face Tonga

By Kim Ekin

04 Jul 2023

(Photo by Jean Catuffe/Getty Images)

Some experienced Wallaby campaigners have been named in the Australia A squad which is set to face a rejuvenated Tonga team on July 14.

13 of the 25 players in the Australian squad have experience in a Wallabies jersey, none more than Bernard Foley, who was a surprise omission from Eddie Jones’ Rugby Championship squad.

Three former Sevens players have been selected, with Brumbies speedster Corey Toole continuing his remarkable rise after a breakout season in Super Rugby Pacific. He’s joined by Lachie Anderson and former All Black Sevens player Ollie Sapsford.

“It’s great to build on the foundations of the Australia A program from last year with another hit out against Test-quality International opposition in Tonga,” coach Jason Gilmore said in a statement.

“Eddie has selected a group with a huge amount of talent and alongside the rest of the Australia A coaches, I’m looking forward to working closely with them and maximising our time together.”

The match will take place in Tonga on the 50th anniversary of Tonga’s victory over the Wallabies; a match where Fatai Kefu, the father of current Tonga coach and Wallabies legend Toutai Kefu, represented the Ikale Tahi.

The Australia A squad is as follows:

Lachlan Anderson (Melbourne Rebels)

Jock Campbell (Queensland Reds)

Josh Canham (Melbourne Rebels)

Pone Fa’amausili (Melbourne Rebels)

Folau Fainga’a (Western Force)

Issak Fines-Leleiwasa (Western Force)

Bernard Foley (Kubota Spears)

Josh Flook (Queensland Reds)

Jake Gordon (NSW Waratahs)

Ned Hanigan (NSW Waratahs)

Tom Lambert (NSW Waratahs)

Lachlan Lonergan (ACT Brumbies)

Cadeyrn Neville (ACT Brumbies)

James O’Connor (Queensland Reds)

Lukhan Salakaia-Loto (Melbourne Rebels)

Ollie Sapsford (ACT Brumbies)

Blake Schoupp (ACT Brumbies)

Lachlan Swinton (NSW Waratahs)

Sam Talakai (Melbourne Rebels)

Corey Toole (ACT Brumbies)

Seru Uru (Queensland Reds)

Rhys Van Nek (ACT Brumbies)

Joey Walton (NSW Waratahs)

Brad Wilkin (Melbourne Rebels)

Harry Wilson (Queensland Reds)

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