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Major bombshells as Wallabies reveal Rugby World Cup squad with Will Skelton as captain
By Finn Morton
Coach Eddie Jones has dropped a series of selection bombshells by omitting former Australian captain Michael Hooper and playmaker Quade Cooper from the Wallabies’ Rugby World Cup squad.
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As reported on Thursday morning, Hooper was expected to miss out on the World Cup team after sustaining a calf injury during The Rugby Championship. Len Ikitau has also failed to recover from an injury.
In a way, leaving those players out of the squad made sense.
But Cooper’s absence from the 33-man squad was far more surprising. Whether you love to hate him or hate to love him, there’s no denying that Quade Cooper is a gifted rugby player.
Cooper slotted a clutch penalty attempt from near-halfway inside the final 10 minutes against the All Blacks in Dunedin last weekend – although, the playmaker made a crucial error shortly after.
The Wallabies, Eddie Jones and the Australian rugby public will look to young gun Carter Gordon as their chief No. 10 for the World Cup. Gordon, 22, has only started two Test matches in Wallaby gold.
Gordon is the sole flyhalf selected in the squad, but ‘utility’ Ben Donaldson is expected to cover the position as well.
For 25 out of the 33 players selected in the squad, this will be their first World Cup campaign. La Rochelle lock Will Skelton will lead the Wallabies into battle in France.
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“Just feel we need someone who can bring the squad together, make it a little but tighter,” Jones said on Stan Sport. “He’s got all those attributes.
“He’s a really good team man and with Tate there and obviously guys like James Slipper in there and Nic White… we feel that’s the best way to take the leadership of the team forward.
“He’s a guy that’s used to winning. A lot of this squad aren’t used to winning so he brings that to the table.”
There are two genuine bolters in this squad. The biggest surprise inclusion in the squad is Western Force halfback Issak Fines-Leleiwasa.
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Fines-Leleiwasa was not included in The Rugby Championship squad, and replaces Ryan Lonergan in the mix.
The other surprise – which will likely put a smile on the faces on Australian rugby fans – is the selection of Max Jorgensen. Jorgensen, 18, was injured during Super Rugby Pacific.
“Jorgensen, I thought during the Super Rugby season he was one of the standout players so we always had our eyes on him,” Jones added.
“He’s come through a pretty rigid rehab and he should be fit to play in two or three weeks.”
Wallabies Rugby World Cup squad:
Props: Angus Bell, Pone Fa’amausili, Zane Nonggorr, Blake Schoupp, James Slipper, Taniela Tupou
Hookers: Matt Faessler, David Porecki, Jordan Uelese,
Locks: Richie Arnold, Nick Frost, Matt Philip, Will Skelton ©,
Loose forwards: Langi Gleeson, Tom Hooper, Rob Leota, Fraser McReight, Rob Valetini
Scumhalves: Issak Fines-Leleiwasa, Tate McDermott (vc), Nic White
Flyhalf: Carter Gordon
Centres: Lalakai Foketi, Samu Kerevi, Izaia Perese, Jordan Petaia
Outside backs: Max Jorgensen, Andrew Kellaway, Marika Koroibete, Mark Nawaqanitawase, Suliasi Vunivalu
Utility: Ben Donaldson, Josh Kemeny
I dont know why eddie jones has left cooper behind for vunivalu but also ben donaldson is not good enough in my opinion noah lolesio is much better than him
Hang on, am I missing something?? Where's Reece Hodge?
So many warahtas in squad,,?? Eddie says they earned it , he is speaking out of his ass I think, why not cooper or bernad Foley for experience .
Is that a staff/physio member on the squad sheet?Leaving Cooper and taking Vunivalu is ridiculous. That's a lot of pressure on a young 10 and very little versatility with the back selection.
will get munched by either eng or argie in the qfs. and that's if fiji and wales haven't done a joint launch job before that......
Absolute joke of a squad.