Australia v All Blacks: Joe Schmidt ignores pleas to include overseas-based stars as Wallabies get timely double boost
Joe Schmidt has named his 36-player squad for the upcoming Tests against New Zealand as part of the Rugby Championship and Bledisloe Cup.
Wallabies head coach Joe Schmidt has named his 36-man squad for the upcoming Bledisloe Cup matches against the All Blacks.
Australia head into the two Tests against New Zealand off the back of a humiliating 67-27 defeat to Argentina. That after beating the Pumas 19-20 the week before.
Double boost for Wallabies
The Wallabies have been dealt a double fitness boost with flanker Fraser McReight and centre Hunter Paisami both returning from injury after missing the Tests against Argentina.
McReight also missed the two Tests against the Springboks after an impressive run of form in July before fracturing his hand.
Meanwhile, Paisami is understood to still be in doubt for the opening Test against Scott Robertson’s charges but is tracking well to feature in the return game in Wellington. He sustained the knee injury in the second Test against South Africa in Perth.
Flanker Liam Wright is still struggling with a shoulder injury that he sustained in July after remaining relatively fit throughout the Super Rugby Pacific season. He is one of 10 players on the injury list that includes the likes of Kurtley Beale, David Porecki and Rob Leota.
Schmidt has ignored the calls to look abroad to strengthen his squad as winger Marika Koroibete is the only overseas-based player included in the team for the Bledisloe Cup Tests. The squad does feature two uncapped players in what is a relatively consistent squad so far this year, they are winger Corey Toole and inside centre David Feliuai.
The group will assemble in Sydney on Sunday ahead of the first Bledisloe Cup Test next Saturday at Accor Stadium before crossing the ditch for the return clash at Sky Stadium in Wellington the following week.
“After getting a much-needed win in the first Test, then making a good start in the second Test, we had a very disappointing final 40 minutes in Argentina,” Wallabies head coach Schmidt said.
“The upcoming Bledisloe Test in Sydney offers a great opportunity to turn that poor finish around in front of what looks like being another big home crowd.”
Australia last tasted Bledisloe success in 2002, which was actually their fifth title in a row.
Wallabies squad for the Bledisloe Cup Tests
Forwards (19): Allan Alaalatoa, Angus Bell, Josh Canham, Matt Faessler, Nick Frost, Langi Gleeson, Tom Hooper, Isaac Kailea, Fraser McReight, Josh Nasser, Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Tom Robertson, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, James Slipper, Carlo Tizzano, Taniela Tupou, Rob Valetini, Jeremy Williams, Harry Wilson
Backs (17): Ben Donaldson, David Feliuai*, Josh Flook, Jake Gordon, Len Ikitau, Max Jorgensen, Andrew Kellaway, Marika Koroibete, Noah Lolesio, Tom Lynagh, Tate McDermott, Hunter Paisami, Dylan Pietsch, Hamish Stewart, Corey Toole*, Nic White, Tom Wright
Injury list: Kurtley Beale, Charlie Cale, Filipo Daugunu, Harry Johnson-Holmes, Bayley Kuenzle, Rob Leota, Lachlan Lonergan, David Porecki, Blake Schoupp, Liam Wright
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