Wallabies coach Michael Cheika has made some shock selections and omissions in his 34-man Rugby Championship squad.
Quade Cooper and Nick Phipps have missed out on selection, with Cheika opting for Christian Leali’ifano and returning scrumhalf Nic White instead. White has been playing in England and has returned to Australia with a view to playing Super Rugby next year.
According to the Sydney Morning Herald, Cheika and the other Wallabies selectors, Scott Johnson and Michael O’Connor, favoured Leali’ifano and Matt Toomua as potential No 10 options alongside incumbent Bernard Foley.
Openside flank David Pocock, lock Adam Coleman and back rower Pete Samu were not considered due to injuries.
Kurtley Beale looks set to fill the void left by Israel Folau at fullback. Returning utility James O’Connor was not considered for selection.
Wallabies squad
Backs: Tom Banks, Dane Haylett-Petty, Reece Hodge, Kurtley Beale, Jack Maddocks, Marika Koroibete, Tevita Kuridrani, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Samu Kerevi, Matt Toomua, Bernard Foley, Christian Leali’ifano, Will Genia, Nic White, Joe Powell.
Forwards: Isa Naisarani, Jack Dempsey, Michael Hooper, Liam Wright, Luke Jones, Rob Valetini, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Izack Rodda, Rob Simmons, Rory Arnold, Sekope Kepu, Allan Alaalatoa, Taniela Tupou, Scott Sio, James Slipper, Tom Robertson, Folau Fainga’a, Tolu Latu, Jordan Uelese.
Photo: @rugbycomau/Twitter
