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Shock Wallabies re-call for 100-test veteran
The Wallabies are turning back the clock, calling on 100-test veteran Adam Ashley-Cooper to fill an outside back void on their end of year Northern tour.
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The outside back will link with the Wallabies squad in Japan before heading to Europe for tests against Wales, Italy, and England.
His experience is set to boost the side’s outside back stocks ahead of a defining tour for the Wallabies, who have also called on Queensland youngster Jordan Petaia, but head coach Michael Cheika insists Ashley-Cooper “isn’t coming for a holiday”.
“His experience is important and also just his versatility, his ability to cover a few positions,” Cheika said.
“With him and then a guy like Jordan, it’s probably a good balance. We need a couple of extra backs here on the trip.
“(Ashley-Cooper) will train with us, we’ll see where he’s at.
“He’s come on the tour with us to be available for selection, he’s not coming for a holiday.”
18-year-old Jordan Petaia could also debut for the Wallabies for the first time against Italy, after just 13 Super Rugby caps.
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The 18-year-old has just 13 Super Rugby caps to his name but embodies the term meteoric rise.
“He’s just got a lot of good touches,” Cheika said.
“He’s a good lad, he wants to succeed, he wants to do the work, he’s eager.
“Having him here with us on these next few weeks will give him an idea of what’s required at the level and give him a chance to make a play for the World Cup squad.”
The Wallabies will also take strong ball-carrying Brumbies backrower Rob Valetini as an apprentice, who has had to deal with long-term injuries in his short career.
Wallabies Spring Tour squad
Forwards
Jermaine Ainsley (1 Test, Melbourne Rebels, 23)
Allan Alaalatoa (30 Tests, Brumbies, 24)
Rory Arnold (19 Tests , Brumbies, 28)
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Adam Coleman (28 Tests, Melbourne Rebels, 26)
Jack Dempsey (7 Tests, NSW Waratahs, 24)
Folau Fainga’a (6 Tests, Brumbies, 23)
Ned Hanigan (18 Tests, NSW Waratahs, 23)
Jed Holloway (uncapped, NSW Waratahs, 25)
Michael Hooper (c) (88 Tests, NSW Waratahs, 26)
Sekope Kepu (100 Tests, NSW Waratahs, 32)
Tolu Latu (10 Tests, NSW Waratahs, 25)
Brandon Paenga-Amosa (4 Tests, Queensland Reds, 22)
David Pocock (75 Tests, Brumbies, 30)
Izack Rodda (14 Tests, Queensland Reds, 22)
Rob Simmons (91 Tests, NSW Waratahs, 29)
Pete Samu (7 Tests, Brumbies, 26)
Scott Sio (52 Tests, Brumbies, 27)
Taniela Tupou (9 Tests, Queensland Reds, 22)
Backs
Adam Ashley-Cooper (116, Kobe Steelers, 34)
Tom Banks (3 Tests, Brumbies, 24)
Kurtley Beale (81 Tests, NSW Waratahs, 29)
Israel Folau (70 Tests, NSW Waratahs, 29)
Bernard Foley (65 Tests, NSW Waratahs, 29)
Will Genia (97 Tests, Melbourne Rebels, 30)
Jake Gordon (uncapped, NSW Waratahs, 25)
Dane Haylett-Petty (28 Tests, Melbourne Rebels, 29)
Samu Kerevi (22 Tests, Queensland Reds, 25)
Marika Koroibete (18 Tests, Melbourne Rebels, 26)
Jack Maddocks (5 Tests, Melbourne Rebels, 21)
Sefa Naivalu (8 Tests, Melbourne Rebels, 26)
Jordan Petaia (uncapped, Queensland Reds, 18)
Nick Phipps (70 Tests, NSW Waratahs, 29)
Matt Toomua (39, Leicester Tigers/Melbourne Rebels, 28)
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Rob Valetini (uncapped, Brumbies, 20)
