Mix of new and old for Wallabies
Jul 19, 2017 - 9:06 AM Coach Michael Cheika says the Wallabies' rebuilding and renovating phase is almost complete after recalling some familiar faces and choosing plenty of new ones.Cheika's regeneration of the squad following the 2015 World Cup has continued, with 11 uncapped players named in a 38-man extended training squad for the Rugby Championship starting next month.
The generous infusion of new blood includes six forwards and five backs across the four Australian teams already eliminated from Super Rugby.
Six of the uncapped players come from the Reds, three from the Force and two from the Rebels, with none from the the Waratahs.
While veterans Quade Cooper and Scott Higginbotham were dropped after representing Australia last month, Cheika recalled some stalwarts.
Utility back Kurtley Beale makes his first appearance in a national squad since the 2015 World Cup final following an injury which kept him out of the 2016 Test program, followed by a stint at English club Wasps.
Beale hasn't played since injuring a hamstring back in May, but Cheika expected him to be right by the time of the camp in Cessnock early next month.
Back in favour are Australia's 2015 World Cup final starting second row combination of Rob Simmons and Kane Douglas, both of who were overlooked for the June Tests.
Cheika also rewarded the good form of Force props Pek Cowan and Tetera Faulkner, who are both back in a national training group for the first time since their last Tests back in 2014.
"It's always a balance," Cheika said.
"There's a lot of young guys in there, as we've been bringing through, but it's always nice to have a few older guys in there to bring a bit of experience."
Four of the six new forwards were from the Reds, props Sef Fa'agase and Taniela Tupou, lock Izack Rodda and back rower Adam Korczyk.
Rebels' hooker Jordan Uelese and Force prop Jermaine Ainsley were the other new forwards.
The uncapped backs were Force centres Billy Meakes and Curtis Rona, Rebels winger Marika Koroibete and Reds' duo Campbell Magnay and Izaia Perese.
"We've obviously talked about renovating and rebuilding the team, I think it's well and truly under way now, or close to completed," Cheika said.
"It's now around changing names and getting people a bit of exposure."
Source: AAP
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