Rennie brings in big guns for first Wallabies training camp of 2023
SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Wallabies coach Dave Rennie has named a 44-man squad for a camp on the Gold Coast next week as the long countdown to this year’s Rugby World Cup begins.
The group will assemble on Monday for the four-day camp, which will include on and off field elements to prepare the team for the 2023 Test season culminating at the World Cup in France from September.
Waratahs loose forward Charlie Gamble and Brumbies scrumhalf Ryan Lonergan are the only two uncapped players in the squad, with New Zealand-born Gamble becoming eligible for Wallabies selection in April.
After missing last year’s international season through injury, Western Force lock Izack Rodda comes back into the Wallabies environment, as does 95-Test back Kurtley Beale.
Injured overseas-based stars Quade Cooper and Samu Kerevi have also been named in a squad that contains 26 forwards and 19 backs.
In what is a mostly familiar group from the past three seasons, the squad comprises 13 Brumbies, 13 NSW Waratahs, seven Queensland Reds, six Melbourne Rebels, three Western Force plus Cooper and Kerevi.
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.
“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.”
Wallabies January camp squad:
Props: Allan Alaalatoa, Angus Bell, Matt Gibbon, Tom Robertson, James Slipper, Sam Talakai, Taniela Tupou
Hookers: Folau Fainga’a, Lachlan Lonergan, David Porecki
Locks: Nick Frost, Cadeyrn Neville, Matt Philip, Izack Rodda, Darcy Swain
Loose forwards: Charlie Gamble, Langi Gleeson, Ned Hanigan, Jed Holloway, Michael Hooper, Rob Leota, Fraser McReight, Pete Samu, Rob Valetini, Harry Wilson
Scrumhalves: Jake Gordon, Ryan Lonergan, Tate McDermott, Nic White
Flyhalves: Quade Cooper, Ben Donaldson, Noah Lolesio
Centres: Lalakai Foketi, Len Ikitau, Hunter Paisami, Izaia Perese, Samu Kerevi
Outside backs: Kurtley Beale, Jock Campbell, Reece Hodge, Andrew Kellaway, Mark Nawaqanitawase, Jordan Petaia, Tom Wright.
