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Wallabies name 36-man Bledisloe squad
By Online Editors
Exciting teenaged centre Jordan Petaia has the World Cup back in sight after being named in the Wallabies' squad for their Rugby Championship clash with New Zealand.
The 19-year-old Queensland Red, sidelined for four months after foot surgery, has been given a chance to push his claims on Saturday week in Perth.
The possible debutant will be joined in the squad by veterans David Pocock (calf) and Tatafu Polota-Nau (knee), with the experienced pair continuing their rehabilitation from injury.
Champion flanker Pocock is in a race to be fit for the World Cup in Japan, which starts on September 20.
He was ruled out of a Canberra club rugby cameo, which would have been his first game in five months. Wallabies coach Michael Cheika hasn't revealed if he will be considered for the All Blacks game or just train with the squad.
The 36-man squad will arrive on Sunday in Perth ahead of the first Test at Optus Stadium with the Rugby Championshi p crown still up for grabs.
The Perth clash will be one of two Bledisloe Cup Tests in 2019 with the reverse fixture in Auckland this year not included in the Rugby Championship schedule.
Cheika said selection decisions were becoming tougher with just three internationals left before their World Cup-opener on September 21 against Fiji.
“Squad decisions are getting harder and harder to make," Cheika said.
"So many lads are putting their hands up at training and at club rugby around the country, and each one of them is pushing the other to get better each day.
“It’s great to see Jordan (Petaia) back - he's had a few games of club rugby under his belt now so we’ll look to integrate him this week in Perth and give him time to settle in."
Wallabies:
Forwards:
Allan Alaalatoa (Brumbies), Rory Arnold (Brumbies), Adam Coleman (Rebels), Folau Fainga’a (Brumbies), Michael Hooper (capt) (Waratahs), Luke Jones (R ebels), Sekope Kepu (Waratahs), Tolu Latu (Waratahs), Isi Naisarani (Rebels), David Pocock (Brumbies),Tatafu Polota-Nau (Leicester), Izack Rodda (Reds), Rob Simmons (Waratahs), Lukhan Salakaia-Loto (Reds), Scott Sio (Brumbies), James Slipper (Brumbies), Taniela Tupou (Reds), Jordan Uelese (Rebels), Rob Valetini (Brumbies), Liam Wright (Reds).
Backs:
Adam Ashley-Cooper (Waratahs), Tom Banks (Brumbies), Kurtley Beale (Waratahs), Bernard Foley (Waratahs), Will Genia (Rebels), Dane Haylett-Petty (Rebels), Reece Hodge (Rebels), Samu Kerevi (Reds), Marika Koroibete (Rebels), Tevita Kuridrani (Brumbies), Christian Leali’ifano (Brumbies), James O’Connor (Reds), Jordan Petaia (Reds), Joe Powell (Brumbies), Matt Toomua (Rebels), Nic White (Exeter Chiefs).
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Latest Comments
I so wish we could use BIG words here to say what an absolute %^$# this guy is, but we can't so I won't.
Go to commentsGet world rugby to buy a few Islands in the Mediterranean. Name them Rugby Island #1, #2, #3 etc. All teams are based there all season and as the knockouts progress, losers go home for a few months rest. Sell the TV rights to any and all.
Have an open ballot/lottery each week to fly fans out to fill the stadiums. They get to enter the draw if they pay their taxes and avoid crime which would encourage good social engagement from rugby supporters as responsible citizens. The school kids get in the draw if they are applying themselves at school and reaching their potential.
Or maybe there is some magic way to prioritise both domestic rugby and international rugby by having the same players playing for 12 months of the year...
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