Wallabies name train-on squad for Spring Tour
August 24, 2004 - 4:05pm
Story by: ARU
The Qantas Wallabies have named 36 players as part of train-on squad to begin preparations for the 2004 Spring Tour to Europe and the UK for Tests against Scotland, France and England in November.
The extended squad will train under Wallaby strength and conditioning programs in Sydney, Brisbane and Canberra, and attend a skills camp in September, before a 26-man tour party will be announced and assemble in early October.
Wallaby coach Eddie Jones says the train-on squad is the first step in preparing the team for the end of season tour.
"The majority of the players who have been involved with the Tri Nations will have a short break over the next week or so and then begin some strength and conditioning training in their home states," said Jones.
"We've extended the squad to give us a good base from which to work from, but it doesn't mean players outside the train-on squad will not be considered for the tour."
With World Cup Wallabies Elton Flatley and Mat Rogers returning from injury and expected to be available for selection, Jones has also added some new faces to the extended squad.
"We'll be in the good position of having some players available again after missing the domestic season through injury with both Elton Flatley and Mat Rogers looking to play some club rugby in the coming weeks," said Jones.
"We've also included some young guys in Drew Mitchell, Anthony Mathison and Cameron Shepherd who performed well in the Super 12 and will benefit further from joining the train-on squad."
A number of Test players will also return to club rugby in Sydney and Brisbane over the next couple of weeks with Jones looking to keep an eye on all players in the build up to the Spring Tour.
SPRING TOUR DATES:
Date | Match | Venue | Kick-off |
Sat 6 Nov | Australia v Scotland | TBC | TBC |
Sat 13 Nov | Australia v France | Stade de France | TBC |
Sat 20 Nov | Australia v Scotland | Murrayfield | 2.45pm |
Sat 27 Nov | Australia v England | Twickenham | 2.30pm |
SPRING TOUR TRAIN-ON SQUAD:
*Indicates players who are available to play club rugby
Alastair Baxter
Brendan Cannon
Mark Chisholm*
David Croft*
Matt Dunning*
Elton Flatley*
David Fitter*
Adam Freier*
Mark Gerrard*
Matt Giteau
George Gregan
Nathan Grey*
Justin Harrison
Nic Henderson*
Matt Henjak*
Stephen Larkham
Chris Latham
David Lyons
Anthony Mathison*
Drew Mitchell*
Stirling Mortlock
Jeremy Paul*
Clyde Rathbone
John Roe*
Mat Rogers*
Wendell Sailor
Radike Samo*
Nathan Sharpe
Cameron Shepherd*
George Smith*
Lote Tuqiri
Morgan Turinui*
Daniel Vickerman*
Phil Waugh
Chris Whitaker*
Bill Young
