The Wallabies are now in full prep mode head of a World Cup campaign.
The new Eddie era certainly hasn’t been smooth sailing thus far; worryingly winless and squad selection controversies.
Coach Jones is looking to foster a youth movement at the major tournament in France.
Coach Eddie Jones, controversially ushered in at the start of the year at the expense of Dave Rennie, now has his hands on the steering wheel.
And the lead-up trip to the World Cup has been a bumpy one so far; no victories to reflect on through the Rugby Championship.
Renewed optimism has quickly diminished and it’s led to some radical selections that completely shocked even the most dialled in experts.
Here’s the Wallabies’ Rugby World Cup squad.
BELOW: Wallabies squad, possible starting XV, upcoming games
Wallabies upcoming games
Match 1 | Australia vs Georgia | 2:00am AEST, Sep 10 – Stade de France, Saint-Denis (Paris)
Match 2 | Australia vs Fiji | 1:00am AEST, Sep 18 – Stade Geoffroy-Guichard, Saint-Étienne (near Lyon)
Match 3 | Australia vs Wales | 5:00am AEST, Sep 25 – Parc Olimpique, Lyon
Match 4 | Australia vs Portugal | 2:45am, Oct 2 – Stade Geoffroy-Guichard, Saint-Ètienne
Wallabies Potential Starting XV
- Angus Bell
- David Porecki
- Pone Fa’amausili
- Will Skelton (C)
- Nick Frost
- Tom Hooper
- Fraser McReight
- Rob Valetini
- Tate McDermott (VC)
- Carter Gordon
- Marika Koroibete
- Samu Kerevi
- Jordan Petaia
- Mark Nawaqanitawase
- Andrew Kellaway
Wallabies captain
C: Will Skelton
VC: Tate McDermott
After veterans Michael Hooper and James Slipper led the national group through the Rugby Championship, Jones made the shock announcement that 31-year-old Will Skelton will lead the Wallabies going forward.
Skelton’s not even in the Super Rugby set up — he plays for La Rochelle in the French Top 14. But he’s come along in leaps and bounds over there the last few years and has recently proved he’s a walk-up start at lock in this team. That’s not to say, though, that the captaincy selection wasn’t a shock.
Will Skelton will be the 87th captain of the Wallabies, supported by Queensland Reds scrum half Tate McDermott as his deputy.
Wallabies Full Rugby World Cup squad
After naming 34 active players ahead of the Rugby Championship, the World Cup squad features just 25 names.
*First Rugby World Cup
Props (6)
Angus Bell (22, Waratahs, 23 Tests)*
Pone Fa’amausili (26, Rebels, 5 Tests) *
Zane Nonggorr (22, Reds, 2 Tests)*
Blake Schoupp (23, Brumbies, uncapped)*
James Slipper (34, Brumbies, 131 Tests)
Taniela Tupou (27, Reds, 48 Tests)
Hookers (3)
Matt Faessler (24, Reds, 1 Test)*
David Porecki (30, Waratahs, 14 Tests)*
Jordan Uelese (26, Rebels, 18 Tests)
Locks (4)
Richie Arnold (33, Stade Toulousain, 4 Tests)*
Nick Frost (23, Brumbies, 12 Tests)*
Matt Philip (29, Rebels, 28 Tests)*
Will Skelton (C) (31, La Rochelle, 28 Tests)
Back Row (5)
Langi Gleeson (22, Waratahs, 3 Tests)*
Tom Hooper (22, Brumbies, 3 Tests)*
Rob Leota (26, Rebels, 16 Tests)*
Fraser McReight (24, Reds, 12 Tests)*
Rob Valetini (24, Brumbies, 34 Tests)*
Scrumhalves (3)
Issak Fines-Leleiwasa (27, Western Force, uncapped)*
Tate McDermott (VC) (24, Reds, 25 Tests)*
Nic White (33, Brumbies, 63 Tests)
Flyhalves (1)
Carter Gordon (22, Rebels, 4 Tests)*
Centres (4)
Lalakai Foketi (28, Waratahs, 5 Tests)*
Samu Kerevi (29, Urayasu D-Rocks, 45 Tests)
Izaia Perese (26, Waratahs, 5 Tests)*
Jordan Petaia (23, Reds, 27 Tests)
Outside Backs (5)
Max Jorgensen (18, Waratahs, uncapped)*
Andrew Kellaway (27, Rebels, 23 Tests)*
Marika Koroibete (31, Saitama Wild Knights, 55 Tests)
Mark Nawaqanitawase (22, Waratahs, 6 Tests)*
Suliasi Vunivalu (27, Reds, 2 Tests)*
Utility (2)
Ben Donaldson (23, Waratahs, 2 Tests)*
Josh Kemeny (24, Rebels, 1 Test)*
