Eddie Jones announces Wallabies squad for April training camp

Sun, Apr 2, 2023, 6:26 AM
Nathan Williamson
by Nathan Williamson
The Wallabies travelled to Cardiff for their final Spring Tour match of 2022.

Wallabies coach Eddie Jones has confirmed a 33-player squad ahead of April's training camp.

Jones has named six uncapped players, headlined by teenage sensation Max Jorgensen.

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Jorgensen has been a breakout star since debuting for the Waratahs, scoring four tries in his opening three games.

He is joined by Rebels duo Carter Gordon and Brad Wilkin after their dominant starts to the season.

"Every pre-season testing in Formula One is a fresh start," said Jones in a statement. "New ideas, new cars, new drivers, new support staff. It's the same for us.”

“This is a new squad, with new standards and new expectations for a new challenge. I hope the players who have this first chance understand the privilege, have their tyres pumped up and they're ready to go.

"It's no secret what I've been looking for and in the players selected for this first camp they've delivered on work rate, effort and intent.

"What they haven't delivered on in Super Rugby is winning, particularly against New Zealand teams. Competitive doesn't cut it. We will build a winner's mindset in the Wallabies players, and we will win games. That will come from confidence and belief that comes through effort and sacrifice."

Brumbies Ryan Lonergan and Nic White are the lone two scrumhalves in the squad, with Tate McDermott omitted as Jones looking to get a better look at the pair over the three-day camp.

Ben Donaldson and Gordon are the two flyhalves, with Jones eager to see the Waratah play in the ten jersey more often after beginning the year at the back.

The Brumbies as expected dominate selections, with loosehead prop Blake Schoupp one of 13 players included from Stephen Larkham's side.

Reds young gun Tom Lynagh is one of several not considered due to injury, which includes Rebels duo Alex Mafi and Matt Philip, Force forwards Izack Rodda and Folau Fainga'a along with centre Hunter Paisami.

Waratahs prop Angus Bell, Rebels backrower Rob Leota and Reds prop Taniela Tupou will join the squad as they continue their rehab from long-term injuries.

Jones will also incorporate a host of overseas players in the camp, with Quade Cooper, Marika Koroibete and Samu Kerevi headlining the group of seven that will join via Zoom.

They are joined by Tom Banks, Richie Arnold, Bernard Foley and Will Skelton.

"This is not the squad for Rugby World Cup. It's the first squad for the first camp. If you are in it, the challenge is to stay in it. If you are not in it, how do you get in it? Players select themselves," Jones added.

“Going to win a Bledisloe Cup and a Rugby World Cup with the Wallabies is a rare privilege in a player's career. Thousands try, few succeed. This is not the squad for Rugby World Cup. It's the first squad for the first camp. If you are in it, the challenge is to stay in it. If you are not in it, how do you get in it? Players select themselves."

Wallabies camp squad (age, team, Tests played)

Allan Alaalatoa (29, ACT Brumbies, 64 Tests)

Ben Donaldson (23, NSW Waratahs, 2 Tests)

Pone Fa'amausili (26, Melbourne Rebels, 3 Tests)

Josh Flook (21, Queensland Reds, uncapped)

Lalakai Foketi (28, NSW Waratahs, 5 Tests)

Nick Frost (23, ACT Brumbies, 9 Tests)

Langi Gleeson (21, NSW Waratahs, 3 Tests)

Carter Gordon (22, Melbourne Rebels, uncapped)

Ned Hanigan (27, NSW Waratahs, 28 Tests)

Reece Hodge (28, Melbourne Rebels, 54 Tests)

Michael Hooper (31, NSW Waratahs, 124 Tests)

Jed Holloway (30, NSW Waratahs, 10 Tests)

Len Ikitau (24, ACT Brumbies, 26 Tests)

Max Jorgensen (18, NSW Waratahs, uncapped)

Andrew Kellaway (27, Melbourne Rebels, 21 Tests)

Lachlan Lonergan (23, ACT Brumbies, 8 Tests)

Ryan Lonergan (24, ACT Brumbies, uncapped)

Fraser McReight (24, Queensland Reds, 10 Tests)

Mark Nawaqanitawase (22, NSW Waratahs, 3 Tests)

Cadeyrn Neville (34, ACT Brumbies, 8 Tests)

Jordan Petaia (23, Queensland Reds, 25 Tests)

David Porecki (30, NSW Waratahs, 10 Tests)

Tom Robertson (28, Western Force, 31 Tests)

Pete Samu (31, ACT Brumbies, 32 Tests)

Blake Schoupp (23, ACT Brumbies, uncapped)

James Slipper (33, ACT Brumbies, 127 Tests)

Darcy Swain (25, ACT Brumbies, 17 Tests)

Jordan Uelese (26, Melbourne Rebels, 15 Tests)

Rob Valetini (24, ACT Brumbies, 30 Tests)

Suliasi Vunivalu (27, Queensland Reds, 1 Test)

Nic White (32, ACT Brumbies, 59 Tests)

Brad Wilkin (27, Melbourne Rebels, uncapped)

Tom Wright (26, ACT Brumbies, 23 Tests)

Rehab group

Angus Bell

Rob Leota

Taniela Tupou

Overseas based players to join via Zoom

Richie Arnold

Tom Banks (TBC)

Quade Cooper

Bernard Foley

Marika Koroibete

Samu Kerevi (TBC)

Will Skelton

Not considered for selection due to injury

Folau Fainga'a

Tom Lynagh

Alex Mafi

Hunter Paisami

Matt Philip

Izack Rodda

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