Four New Faces in Qantas Wallabies Squad for Spring Tour

The selection of four new players, including Western Force utility back James O’Connor who is poised to become the second youngest player ever to play for Australia, headlines the Qantas Wallabies squad that has been unveiled  for the Spring Tour.

The 18-year-old is joined in the 34-man touring party by fellow new caps: Western Force openside flanker David Pocock, Queensland Reds flyhalf Quade Cooper and NSW Waratahs prop Sekope Kepu.

Queensland Reds winger Digby Ioane and Brumbies lock Mark Chisholm also return after being omitted from Australia’s squad for the recently concluded Tri-Nations series.

The six-match tour, which includes Tests against New Zealand, Italy, England, France and Wales as well as a match against the Barbarians, marks the 100^th anniversary of the first Wallabies tour of the United Kingdom in 1908.

Flanker Rocky Elsom and lock Dan Vickerman were ruled out of selection after deciding to head off-shore, but the rest of the playing roster from the Tri-Nations has been retained.

This includes halfback Luke Burgess, inside centre Berrick Barnes, winger Lote Tuqiri and No 8 Wycliff Palu, who all ended that tournament on the injured list.

Burgess and Barnes are expected to join the team when it assembles for a series of four training camps in Sydney next month.

The fitness of Palu, who strained the medial ligament in his knee against the All Blacks two weeks ago, and Tuqiri, who underwent minor knee surgery last week, will be assessed closer to the time of the Wallabies’ departure for Hong Kong.

Qantas Wallabies coach Robbie Deans is confident both players will be fit to take their places on the tour.

The Wallabies leave for Hong Kong, and the first leg of the tour against the All Blacks, on Monday 27 October.

The retention of all of the players who were available from the Tri-Nations reflects a desire to build on the foundations that were laid earlier in the year, Deans says.

“While we were obviously disappointed to fall short in the final game of the Tri-Nations, we had worked hard, in terms of putting ourselves into a position where we could win that tournament,” Deans says.

“The task now is to push forward with our development as a team on what will be a challenging tour. It is a great opportunity for us as a group. The players who were involved (in the Tri-Nations) have earned the right to continue with the work that they have started.”

Deans says the introduction of four further new caps, following on from the eight players who made their debuts earlier in the year during the Bundaberg Rum Rugby Series, will broaden the depth of Australian rugby.

“There is a development aspect to some of the selections we have made,” Deans acknowledges.

This was especially a factor in the selection of O’Connor, Deans says.

At 18 years and 80 days, O’Connor should become the second youngest player ever to play for Australia when he first takes the field. The youngest ever Wallaby was Queensland winger Brian Ford, who was 18 years and 90 days when he appeared against New Zealand at Brisbane in 1957.

A product of Brisbane’s Nudgee College, O’Connor played for the Australian Schools last year before being secured by the Western Force, for whom he made his Investec Super 14 debut against the Queensland Reds, in April.

The teenager completed his freshman Super Rugby campaign with four caps to his name, before adding to his experience on the Force’s recent development tour of the United Kingdom.

“James’ inclusion at this juncture is not a decision we have made lightly,” Deans says.

“He is a young man with a bright future. We believe he is good to go in terms of starting his development as an international player. Obviously, his is a special circumstance. He has been included primarily to learn his trade, but we believe he has a lot to offer now, and will only build on that with the experience he will gain in our environment during the next two months.”

Today’s other new caps had all been on the radar since the Super 14, Deans says.

Cooper and Pocock were not considered for the Wallabies squad earlier in the year, instead being released to attend the Under-20 World Cup in Wales. Pocock captained the Australian squad at that tournament.

Kepu, who is a former New Zealand age-group representative, made his debut for the Waratahs earlier in the year, appearing four times in the Investec Super 14.

A former No 8, the 22-year-old attended the same High School as Rugby legend Jonah Lomu, South Auckland’s Wesley College.

Kepu converted to the front row three years ago, and performed strongly for Australia A during the Pacific Nations Cup tournament. He has also acted as propping cover for the Wallabies at training during various stages in the domestic season.

QANTAS WALLABIES SQUAD FOR THE 2008 SPRING TOUR

Qantas Wallabies Spring Tour Itinerary

Saturday November 1: v New Zealand, Hong Kong

Saturday November 8: v Italy, Padova

Saturday November 15: v England, London (Twickenham)

Saturday November 22: v France, Paris

Saturday November 29: v Wales, Cardiff

Wednesday December 3: v Barbarians, London (Wembley)

Click here to view the Qantas Wallabies Player Profiles.