First Wallabies squad of the year named with a baker's dozen of uncapped talent

New Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt has named his first squad of the year ahead of the opening slate of Tests against Wales.

The new-look Wallabies camp aims to put the trials of yesteryear in the rearview and build towards an exciting future which of course includes a Lions Tour in 2025 and a home World Cup in 2027.

While Schmidt hasn't committed as far as the later tournament, today's squad is the first major step towards what Wallabies fans will be hoping is a far more competitive future for the ailing heavyweights.

The squad features 13 uncapped players, and among the notable absentees are Carter Gordon, following his decision to switch to rugby league.

Former All Black Alex Hodgman has made it a successful switch across the Tasman after leaving the Blues in favour of the Reds in 2024, making Schmidt's 38-man list.

Hodgman is one of 21 forwards in the squad and is joined in the pack by Josh Nasser, Charlie Cale, Isaac Kailea, Angus Blyth, Ryan Smith and Jeremy Williams with ambitions of sporting the Wallaby gold for the first time.

In the backs, there's an air of youth with the likes of Josh Flook, Darby Lancaster and Tom Lynagh joined by David Feliuai, Dylan Pietsch and Hamish Stewart as potential debutants.

Wallabies head coach Joe Schmidt said: “There were some very tight selection calls, as there always are when selecting a National Team.

"The coaching group has looked hard at on-field performances and had ongoing discussions with Super Rugby coaches. We’ve combined the observations we’ve made, with some candid discussion and feel that we have some very good players to start working with, while also acknowledging that there are some good players who have missed selection.

“We have a short runway into our first Test, so we’re just keen to get to work and make as much progress as we can over the four days we have in Brisbane.”

Wallabies squad 

Forwards:

Allan Alaalatoa

Angus Blyth*

Charlie Cale*

Matt Faessler

Nick Frost

Langi Gleeson

Alex Hodgman*

Tom Hooper

Isaac Kailea*

Fraser McReight

Josh Nasser*

Zane Nonggorr

Billy Pollard

Lukhan Salakaia-Loto

Ryan Smith*

James Slipper

Taniela Tupou

Rob Valetini

Jeremy Williams*

Harry Wilson

Liam Wright

Backs:

Kurtley Beale

Filipo Daugunu

Ben Donaldson

David Feliuai*

Josh Flook*

Jake Gordon

Len Ikitau

Andrew Kellaway

Darby Lancaster*

Noah Lolesio

Tom Lynagh*

Tate McDermott

Hunter Paisami

Dylan Pietsch*

Hamish Stewart*

Nic White

Tom Wright

Recovering from injury:

Angus Bell

Harry Johnson-Holmes

Max Jorgensen

Rob Leota

Lachlan Lonergan

David Porecki

Blake Schoupp

Australia Sevens:

Corey Toole