Australia’s squad to face the British and Irish Lions has been finalised, with no Quade Cooper and the inclusion of Kurtley Beale the main talking points.
James Horwill, as expected, was appointed captain of the team to take on the tourists over three test matches starting 22 June.
Six spots were left open to allow players to work their way into the squad in the final weeks of Super Rugby action. The six players included at the final stage are Kurtley Beale, Digby Ioane, Peter Kimlin, Pat McCabe, Hugh McMeniman and Scott Sio.
It is reported that Beale’s versatility to cover both flyhalf and fullback won him his place. His poor personal form over recent months has clearly been long forgotten.
Australia squad:
Backs: Adam Ashley-Cooper, Berrick Barnes, Kurtley Beale, Nick Cummins, Israel Folau, Will Genia, Rob Horne, Digby Ioane, Christian Leali’ifano, Pat McCabe, James O’Connor, Nick Phipps, Joe Tomane
Forwards: Ben Alexander, Dave Dennis, Kane Douglas, Saia Fainga’a, Liam Gill, Michael Hooper, James Horwill (captain), Sekope Kepu, Peter Kimlin, Ben McCalman, Hugh McMeniman, Stephen Moore, Ben Mowen, Wycliff Palu, Benn Robinson, Rob Simmons, Scott Sio, James Slipper
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Lol no higgenbottom?? Wallabies silly not to include quade in this squad, reds halfbacks the best in their country, coach should have build his team around them.
It seems all Kiwis hold grudges if players talk back to them
@Bokhoring (Comment 2) : Ja, they don’t mind dirty play, but don’t you dare back-chat king coach 😈
Sorry to say, but this is disgraceful. Bet you anything Kurtley will be back on the sauce within a month.
@Stiko, I think Higgenbottom is injured.
@SteelShark (Comment 5) : @SteelShark (Comment 5) : oh shame man, poor guy. He’s nogal a leka physical character at 8, is george smith also injured? Cause I thought Robbie said he was gonna look into playing him for this clash.
No idea
@Stiko85 (Comment 6) :
George Smith is also injured, he might just be able to play the last test, but it would be silly to change the dynamic for that match just to include someone..
Oh tog, no wonder the brumbies has been struggling the last few weeks. Ya he wouldn’t make sense at all, oh well the old man can get a hiding against us in the 4N then
@Stiko85 (Comment 9) :
He will be back in Japan by the time the Rugby Championship comes around.
So no chance we will see him in an Aussie jersey again.
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 10) : hai nee man lol. I nogal like the old man’s skelm speelery. Lol I’m seriously out of touch with wallabies rugby, guess coz I never liked that ugly mustard colored jerseys
My guess:
1. Robinson
2. Moore
3. Alexander
4. Douglas
5. Horwill
6. Dennis
7. Hooper
8. Mowan
9. Genia
10. Leali’ifano
11. Ioane
12. Barnes
13. Ashley-Cooper
14. O’Connor
15. Folau
16. Fainga’a
17. Slipper
18. Kepu
19. Simmons
20. Gill
21. Phipps
22. McCabe
23. Tomane