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Dave Rennie names 40 in his first Wallaby squad of 2021

(Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

Rugby Australia

Wallabies coach Dave Rennie has confirmed the 40-man squad ahead of next month’s three-day camp on the Gold Coast.

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There are 14 uncapped players in the squad, including Australian Sevens representative Tim Anstee, former Junior Wallabies hooker Lachlan Lonergan and veteran David Porecki.

Reds off-season signing Suliasi Vunivalu has also earned selection in the Wallabies camp squad, following an impressive return to the 15-man game in Harvey Norman Super Rugby AU.

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The Offload with Jack Nowell

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The Offload with Jack Nowell

Western Force recruit Sitaleki Timani is set to return to the national fold after an eight-year absence, with the 34-year-old named in a Wallabies squad for the first time since the 2013 Spring Tour.

Brumbies lock Cadeyrn Neville has also earned selection in the camp squad and could be in line for his Test debut this year, at the ripe age of 32. While utility forward Seru Uru forced his way into the reckoning after a series of standout displays in Harvey Norman Super Rugby AU for ladder leaders, the Queensland Reds.

The average age of the squad is just 25 and is comprised of 14 Brumbies, 12 Queensland Reds, seven Melbourne Rebels, four NSW Waratahs and three members of the Western Force.

The three-day camp will be used to prepare the side both on-and-off the field ahead of the International season, which is currently scheduled to kick off in the July Test window.

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Squad summary

Total Test caps: 513
Average Test caps: 12.8
Average age: 25
Uncapped players: 14
Most capped: James Slipper (100 Tests)
Youngest member: Angus Bell, 20
Oldest member: Sitaleki Timani, 34
Breakdown: Brumbies 14, QLD Reds 12, Melbourne Rebels 7, NSW Waratahs 4 and Western Force 3

2021 Wallabies camp squad (age, team, Tests played)

Allan Alaalatoa (27, Brumbies, 43 Tests)
Tim Anstee (23, Western Force, uncapped)
Tom Banks (26, Brumbies, 11 Tests)
Angus Bell (20, NSW Waratahs, 3 Tests)
Filipo Daugunu (26, Queensland Reds, 5 Tests)
Pone Fa’amausili (24, Melbourne Rebels, uncapped)
Jake Gordon (27, NSW Waratahs, 5 Tests)
Reece Hodge (26, Melbourne Rebels, 45 Tests)
Trevor Hosea (21, Melbourne Rebels, uncapped)
Len Ikitau (22, Brumbies, uncapped)
Feleti Kaitu’u (26, Western Force, uncapped)
Josh Kemeny (22, Melbourne Rebels, uncapped)
Marika Koroibete (28, Melbourne Rebels, 34 Tests)
Noah Lolesio (21, Brumbies, 2 Tests)
Lachlan Lonergan (21, Brumbies, uncapped)
Alex Mafi (24, Queensland Reds, uncapped)
Tate McDermott (22, Queensland Reds, 2 Tests)
Fraser McReight (22, Queensland Reds, 1 Test)
Andy Muirhead (27, Brumbies, uncapped)
Isi Naisarani (26, Melbourne Rebels, 8 Tests)
Cadeyrn Neville (32, Brumbies, uncapped)
James O’Connor (30, Queensland Reds, 55 Tests)
Hunter Paisami (22, Queensland Reds, 6 Tests)
Jordan Petaia (21, Queensland Reds, 8 Tests)
David Porecki (28, NSW Waratahs, uncapped)
Lukhan Salakaia-Loto (24, Queensland Reds, 25 Tests)
Pete Samu (29, Brumbies, 10 Tests)
Irae Simone (25, Brumbies, 2 Tests)
James Slipper (31, Brumbies, 100 Tests)
Darcy Swain (23, Brumbies, uncapped)
Lachlan Swinton (24, NSW Waratahs, 1 Test)
Sitaleki Timani (34, Western Force, 18 Tests)
Matt To’omua (31, Melbourne Rebels, 54 Tests)
Taniela Tupou (24, Queensland Reds, 25 Tests)
Seru Uru (24, Queensland Reds, uncapped)
Rob Valetini (22, Brumbies, 4 Tests)
Suliasi Vunivalu (25, Queensland Reds, uncapped)
Nic White (30, Brumbies, 37 Tests)
Harry Wilson (24, Queensland Reds, 6 Tests)
Tom Wright (23, Brumbies, 3 Tests)

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O
Oh no, not him again? 2 hours ago
England internationals disagree on final play execution vs All Blacks

Okay, so we blew it big time on Saturday. So rather than repeating what most people have all ready said, what do I want to see from Borthwick going forward?


Let's keep Marcus Smith on the pitch if he's fit and playing well. I was really pleased with his goal kicking. It used to be his weakness. I feel sympathy for George Ford who hadn't kicked all match and then had a kick to win the game. You hear pundits and commentators commend kickers who have come off the bench and pulled that off. Its not easy. If Steve B continues to substitute players with no clear reason then he is going to get criticised.


On paper I thought England would beat NZ if they played to their potential and didn't show NZ too much respect. Okay, the off the ball tackles certainly stopped England scoring tries, but I would have liked to see more smashing over gainlines and less kicking for position. Yes, I also know it's the Springbok endorsed world cup double winning formula but the Kiwi defence isn't the Bok defence, is it. If you have the power to put Smith on the front foot then why muzzle him? I guess what I'm saying is back, yourself. Why give the momentum to a team like NZ? Why feed the beast? Don't give the ball to NZ. Well d'uh.


Our scrum is a long term weakness. If you are going to play Itoje then he needs an ogre next door and a decent front row. Where is our third world class lock? Where are are realible front row bench replacements? The England scrum has been flakey for a while now. It blows hot and cold. Our front five bench is not world class.


On the positive side I love our starting backrow right now. I'd like to see them stick together through to the next world cup.


Anyway, there is always another Saturday.

7 Go to comments
C
CO 2 hours ago
Scott Robertson responds to criticism over All Blacks' handling errors

Robertson is more a manager of coaches than a coach so it comes down to intent of outcomes at a high level. I like his intent, I like the fact his Allblacks are really driving the outcomes however as he's pointed out the high error rates are not test level and their control of the game is driving both wins and losses. England didn't have to play a lot of rugby, they made far fewer mistakes and were extremely unlucky not to win.


In fact the English team were very early in their season and should've been comfortably beaten by an Allblacks team that had played multiple tests together.


Razor has himself recognised that to be the best they'll have to sort out the crisis levels of mistakes that have really increased since the first two tests against England.


Early tackles were a classic example of hyper enthusiasm to not give an inch, that passion that Razor has achieved is going to be formidable once the unforced errors are eliminated.


That's his secret, he's already rebuilt the passion and that's the most important aspect, its inevitable that he'll now eradicate the unforced errors. When that happens a fellow tier one nation is going to get thrashed. I don't think it will be until 2025 though.


The Allblacks will lose both tests against Ireland and France if they play high error rates rugby like they did against England.


To get the unforced errors under control he's going to be needing to handover the number eight role to Sititi and reset expectations of what loose forwards do. Establish a clear distinction with a large, swarthy lineout jumper at six that is a feared runner and dominant tackler and a turnover specialist at seven that is abrasive in contact. He'll then need to build depth behind the three starters and ruthlessly select for that group to be peaking in 2027 in hit Australian conditions on firm, dry grounds.


It's going to help him that Savea is shifting to the worst super rugby franchise where he's going to struggle behind a beaten pack every week.


The under performing loose forward trio is the key driver of the high error rates and unacceptable turn overs due to awol link work. Sititi is looking like he's superman compared to his openside and eight.


At this late stage in the season they shouldn't be operating with just the one outstanding loose forward out of four selected for the English test. That's an abject failure but I think Robertson's sacrificing link quality on purpose to build passion amongst the junior Allblacks as they see the reverential treatment the old warhorses are receiving for their long term hard graft.


It's unfortunately losing test matches and making what should be comfortable wins into nail biters but it's early in the world cup cycle so perhaps it's a sacrifice worth making.


However if this was F1 then Sam Cane would be Riccardo and Ardie would be heading into Perez territory so the loose forwards desperately need revitalisation through a rebuild over the next season to complement the formidable tight five.

28 Go to comments
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