Australia A: Wallaby Reece Hodge spearheads selection for Pacific Nations Cup

Dylan Coetzee

Rebels utility back Reece Hodge is the high-profile selection in the Australia A squad for the upcoming Pacific Nations Cup.

The selection, that has eight capped internationals involved, will be coached by Waratahs assistant Jason Gilmore for the competition.

Form players

There is a lot of promising talent in the squad, with in-form players such as Fraser McReight, Lalakai Foketi and Filipo Daugunu ready to go in Australia A colours.

Gilmore believes he has a nice balance of youth and experience in his side whilst underlining high-profile selections such as Hodge emphasise the growing depth in Australian rugby.

“The team has a good combination of experienced and young players and I think the team will get a lot out of the upcoming tournament in Fiji,” Gilmore said in a statement.

“Looking at some of the names included in the squad, it is apparent that the depth within Australian Rugby continues to grow and I think our inclusion in the Pacific Nations Cup will be beneficial.”

Their Pacific Nations Cup campaign will begin on July 2 as they face Samoa with a clash against Fiji the weekend after.

Australia A Pacific Nations Cup Squad

Tim Anstee (Western Force), Jock Campbell (Queensland Reds), Filipo Daugunu (Queensland Reds), Ben Donaldson (NSW Waratahs), Tane Edmed (NSW Waratahs), Matt Faessler (Queensland Reds), Lalakai Foketi (NSW Waratahs), Feao Fotuaika (Queensland Reds), Matt Gibbon (Melbourne Rebels), Langi Gleeson (NSW Waratahs), Ned Hanigan (NSW Waratahs), Will Harris (NSW Waratahs), Reece Hodge (Melbourne Rebels), Harry Hoopert (Queensland Reds), Harry Johnson-Holmes (NSW Waratahs), Feleti Kaitu’u (Western Force), Ryan Lonergan (Brumbies), Ryan McCauley (Western Force), Fraser McReight (Queensland Reds), Andy Muirhead (Brumbies), Mark Nawaqanitawase (NSW Waratahs), Dylan Pietsch (NSW Waratahs), Billy Pollard (Brumbies), Jackson Pugh (Western Force), Tom Robertson (Western Force), Ryan Smith (Queensland Reds), Hamish Stewart (Queensland Reds), Jake Strachan (Western Force), Seru Uru (Queensland Reds)

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