31-man Wallaby squad for Rugby Championship named

Cheika wallabies train on

SYDNEY – Michael Cheika has named his final Wallaby squad before the Rugby Championship starts with two uncapped players included in the 31-man squad.

The players who didn’t make the cut include Brumbies duo Nic White and Christian Lealiifano, Waratahs veterans Wycliff Palu and Dave Dennis, newcomers Tetera Faulkner and Samu Kerevi and charismatic Force winger Nick Cummins.

The squad is good news for Brumbies reserve hooker Rory Arnold and Waratahs winger Taqele Naiyaravoro who have been included in the 31-man squad and who inch closer to making their first appearance for the Wallabies.

The exclusions of both Wycliff Palu and Dave Dennis are the most notables with both players experienced in test match rugby. It will also be Palu’s last year of wearing the Wallabies’ jersey with the experience no.8 signing a deal in Japan for next season.

In the case of Kerevi and Cummins, it’s appeared to be more of a case of an embarrassment of riches more than anything with Cummins directly competing with Naiyaravoro’s spot and Kerevi falling victim to the existing Brumbies/Wallabies combination of Matt Toomua and Tevita Kuridrani reigning supreme.

Coach Michael Cheika suggested that the combinations were an important factor in the squad announcement. “I have had a good chance to test some combinations and see some players in a high intensity environment. It’s given me great confidence knowing we’re established some depth in key positions,” he said.

The exclusion isn’t the end of these players’ hopes of selection however, with the players remaining with the outer squad in the exception of when they turn out for their local NRC side.