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Dave Rennie names Wallabies squad for January training camp

(Photo By Harry Murphy/Sportsfile via Getty Images)

Wallabies coach Dave Rennie has named a 44-man squad for next week’s four-day training camp that will take place on the Gold Coast.

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The big talking points from the squad are the inclusion of the currently ineligible dynamic loose forward Charlie Gamble, who becomes available for Wallaby selection in April, injured stars Quade Cooper and Samu Kerevi will attend as well as the return from injury of Izack Rodda and Kurtley Beale from Europe.

The camp emphasises the load of preparation that teams will be undergoing in this World Cup year. Ian Foster recently announced that the All Blacks will convene for a camp at the end of January for a thorough review, the first time an All Black camp has been held at that time.

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Rennie’s squad are reportedly in for a combination of on and off-field elements designed to prepare the squad for the 2023 season and of ultimately the World Cup.

Players and coaches in the side may also be hoping for the camp to provide some answers from the investigation into last year’s dramatic injury toll, as Rugby Australia promised an inquiry.

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Wallabies coach Dave Rennie said: “What’s exciting for us is that over the past three years we’ve created genuine depth and competition of places.”

“Of the 44 players, all bar two have worn the gold jersey over the past three years and there’s also several fringe players who still have an opportunity to force their way into the next camp through strong Super Rugby form.

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“We’ll use the four days to make sure all players head back to their franchises with a clear understanding on what will give them the best chance of representing their country in a World Cup year.”

Here is the full 44-man squad with age, club and caps.

Props

Allan Alaalatoa (28, ACT Brumbies, 64 Tests)

Angus Bell (22, NSW Waratahs, 20 Tests)

Matt Gibbon (27, Melbourne Rebels, 5 Tests)

Tom Robertson (28, Western Force, 31 Tests)

James Slipper (33, ACT Brumbies, 127 Tests)

Sam Talakai (31, Melbourne Rebels, 1 Test)

Taniela Tupou (26, Queensland Reds, 47 Tests)

Hookers

Folau Fainga’a (27, Western Force, 38 Tests)

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Lachlan Lonergan (23, ACT Brumbies, 8 Tests)

David Porecki (30, NSW Waratahs, 10 Tests)

Locks

Nick Frost (23, ACT Brumbies, 9 Tests)

Cadeyrn Neville (34, ACT Brumbies, 8 Tests)

Matt Philip (28, Melbourne Rebels, 27 Tests)

Izack Rodda (26, Western Force, 34 Tests)

Darcy Swain (25, ACT Brumbies, 17 Tests)

Loose Forwards

Charlie Gamble (26, NSW Waratahs, uncapped)

Langi Gleeson (21, NSW Waratahs, 3 Tests)

Ned Hanigan (27, NSW Waratahs, 28 Tests)

Jed Holloway (30, NSW Waratahs, 10 Tests)

Michael Hooper (31, NSW Waratahs, 124 Tests)

Rob Leota (25, Melbourne Rebels, 13 Tests)

Fraser McReight (23, Queensland Reds, 10 Tests)

Pete Samu (31, ACT Brumbies, 32 Tests)

Rob Valetini (24, ACT Brumbies, 30 Tests)

Harry Wilson (23, Queensland Reds, 12 Tests)

Scrumhalves

Jake Gordon (29, NSW Waratahs, 20 Tests)

Ryan Lonergan (24, ACT Brumbies, uncapped)

Tate McDermott (24, Queensland Reds, 21 Tests)

Nic White (32, ACT Brumbies, 59 Tests)

Flyhalves

Quade Cooper (34, Kintetsu Liners, 76 Tests)

Ben Donaldson (23, NSW Waratahs, 2 Tests)

Noah Lolesio (23, ACT Brumbies, 17 Tests)

Centres

Lalakai Foketi (28, NSW Waratahs, 5 Tests)

Len Ikitau (24, ACT Brumbies, 26 Tests)

Hunter Paisami (24, Queensland Reds, 24 Tests)

Izaia Perese (25, NSW Waratahs, 3 Tests)

Samu Kerevi (29, Suntory Sungoliath, 41 Tests)

Outside Backs

Kurtley Beale (33, NSW Waratahs, 95 Tests)

Jock Campbell (27, Queensland Reds, 4 Tests)

Reece Hodge (28, Melbourne Rebels, 62 Tests)

Andrew Kellaway (27, Melbourne Rebels, 21 Tests)

Mark Nawaqanitawase (22, NSW Waratahs, 3 Tests)

Jordan Petaia (22, Queensland Reds, 25 Tests)

Tom Wright (25, ACT Brumbies, 23 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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