Thirteen Wallabies rejected for Eddie Jones’ first Rugby Championship squad get their chance to stake World Cup claims as part of an Australia A squad to face Tonga on July 14.
Flyhalf Bernard Foley is set to partner Jake Gordon in the halves, while there is one big omission in the team with Brumbies’ fly half Noah Lolesio not included.
Foley was left out of the Rugby Championship squad after returning to Australia after a commanding season in Japan – with Quade Cooper and Carter Gordon preferred for the Test in South Africa. Lolesio has slipped from starting place to completely out of favour. There is a spot for veteran Reds flyhalf James O’Connor.
The forward pack is crammed with international firepower including Folau Fainga’s, Pone Fa’amausili, Brumbies lock Cadeyrn Neville, returning Rebel Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Reds number eight Harry Wilson and Tahs lock/flanker Ned Hanigan.
Brumbies winger Corey Toole gets a call up as does a former NZ Sevens ace Ollie Sapsford in a backs unit that includes out of favour Reds fullback Jock Campbell.
“It’s great to build on the foundations of the Australia A program from last year with another hit out against Test-quality International opposition in Tonga,” coach Jason Gilmore said .
“Eddie has selected a group with a huge amount of talent and alongside the rest of the Australia A coaches, I’m looking forward to working closely with them and maximising our time together.”
Gilmore will be assisted by ACT Brumbies duo Rod Seib and Laurie Fisher.
The game will take place on the 50th anniversary of Tonga’s victory over the Wallabies in Brisbane. Fatai Kefu, the father of current Tonga coach and Wallabies legend Toutai Kefu, represented the Ikale Tahi.
Australia A Squad to play Tonga
Lachlan Anderson (Melbourne Rebels)
Jock Campbell (Queensland Reds)
Josh Canham (Melbourne Rebels)
Pone Fa’amausili (Melbourne Rebels)
Folau Fainga’a (Western Force)
Issak Fines-Leleiwasa (Western Force)
Bernard Foley (Kubota Spears)
Josh Flook (Queensland Reds)
Jake Gordon (NSW Waratahs)
Ned Hanigan (NSW Waratahs)
Tom Lambert (NSW Waratahs)
Lachlan Lonergan (ACT Brumbies)
Cadeyrn Neville (ACT Brumbies)
James O’Connor (Queensland Reds)
Lukhan Salakaia-Loto (Melbourne Rebels)
Ollie Sapsford (ACT Brumbies)
Blake Schoupp (ACT Brumbies)
Lachlan Swinton (NSW Waratahs)
Sam Talakai (Melbourne Rebels)
Corey Toole (ACT Brumbies)
Seru Uru (Queensland Reds)
Rhys Van Nek (ACT Brumbies)
Joey Walton (NSW Waratahs)
Brad Wilkin (Melbourne Rebels)
Harry Wilson (Queensland Reds)
