Some experienced Wallaby campaigners have been named in the Australia A squad which is set to face a rejuvenated Tonga team on July 14.
13 of the 25 players in the Australian squad have experience in a Wallabies jersey, none more than Bernard Foley, who was a surprise omission from Eddie Jones' Rugby Championship squad.
Three former Sevens players have been selected, with Brumbies speedster Corey Toole continuing his remarkable rise after a breakout season in Super Rugby Pacific. He's joined by Lachie Anderson and former All Black Sevens player Ollie Sapsford.
“It’s great to build on the foundations of the Australia A program from last year with another hit out against Test-quality International opposition in Tonga,” coach Jason Gilmore said in a statement.
“Eddie has selected a group with a huge amount of talent and alongside the rest of the Australia A coaches, I’m looking forward to working closely with them and maximising our time together.”
The match will take place in Tonga on the 50th anniversary of Tonga’s victory over the Wallabies; a match where Fatai Kefu, the father of current Tonga coach and Wallabies legend Toutai Kefu, represented the Ikale Tahi.
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Hey Finn, Well done to the Junior Wallabies…a win is a win but it was a wet and scrappy game. Would be interesting to hear your opinion on two things from watching the game at the Not So Sunny Coast Stadium. Firstly, what is your opinion on the rule change of being able to call The Mark from a kick off and what is the reason for the change? Secondly, your thoughts on the lack of action for the high tackle on the SA fullback. I understand the TMO ruled that he had fallen into the tackle and the tackler didn’t have time to adjust but it was clearly shoulder on head and the Aussie 11 had not made any attempt to adjust his tackle height leading into the tackle. In my opinion he was never going to get his tackle technique correct to complete a safe tackle. If that tackle was made at a more senior and more scrutinised level would we have seen the same result?
Go to commentsI don’t think this has been ventilated enough. Discuss. Perhaps the lesson in all of this is that, in the game of life, one should do all the talking on the field of play. And in the game of rugby, what’s said on the field - stays on the field. Take care of yourselves. And each other.
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