Teenage Waratahs sensation Max Jorgensen, in-form Rebels five-eighth Carter Gordon and little-known Brumbies prop Blake Schoupp headline Eddie Jones’ first Wallabies squad in his second act as coach.
The trio are among six uncapped players in a 33-man squad, with Reds outside back Josh Flook, Rebels captain Brad Wilkin and Brumbies scrumhalf Ryan Lonergan the others.
Among the big names to miss out are Brumbies playmaker Noah Lolesio, Waratahs skipper Jake Gordon and Reds halves Tate McDermott and James O’Connor.
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Carter Gordon and Ben Donaldson are the two specialist No.10s included for a three-day camp on the Gold Coast this month.
There is also only room for two scrumhalves in Brumbies teammates Lonergan and Nic White.
Jones likened the upcoming training camp to the start of a Formula 1 campaign.
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“Every pre-season testing in Formula 1 is a fresh start,” Jones said.
“New ideas, new cars, new drivers, new support staff. It’s the same for us. This is a new squad, with new standards and new expectations for a new challenge. I hope the players who have this first chance understand the privilege, have their tyres pumped up and they’re ready to go.”
Reds winger Suliasi Vunivalu is also included after falling out of favour under previous coach Dave Rennie.
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“It’s no secret what I’ve been looking for and in the players selected for this first camp they’ve delivered on workrate, effort and intent,” Jones said.
“What they haven’t delivered on in Super Rugby is winning, particularly against New Zealand teams. Competitive doesn’t cut it.
“We will build a winner’s mindset in the Wallabies players, and we will win games. That will come from confidence and belief that comes through effort and sacrifice.
“I’ve said it a million times. We have the talent in Australia but not the team. This first camp and this first squad is the first step to building a winning team.”
Jones did not name a captain and it is unclear whether incumbent James Slipper will retain the position for the Rugby World Cup.
“This is not the squad for Rugby World Cup. It’s the first squad for the first camp. If you are in it, the challenge is to stay in it. If you are not in it, how do you get in it? Players select themselves,” Jones said.
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“Going to win a Bledisloe Cup and a Rugby World Cup with the Wallabies is a rare privilege in a player’s career.
“Thousands try, few succeed. We saw a first class game last night between the Brumbies and Waratahs with players really working hard for each other on both sides. It was encouraging.
“All I’ll say is, let’s see more of that and let’s see it every week. No excuses. Make it impossible for me to leave you out.”
Wallabies camp squad (age, team, Tests played)
Allan Alaalatoa (29, ACT Brumbies, 64 Tests)
Ben Donaldson (23, NSW Waratahs, 2 Tests)
Pone Fa’amausili (26, Melbourne Rebels, 3 Tests)
Josh Flook (21, Queensland Reds, uncapped)
Lalakai Foketi (28, NSW Waratahs, 5 Tests)
Nick Frost (23, ACT Brumbies, 9 Tests)
Langi Gleeson (21, NSW Waratahs, 3 Tests)
Carter Gordon (22, Melbourne Rebels, uncapped)
Ned Hanigan (27, NSW Waratahs, 28 Tests)
Reece Hodge (28, Melbourne Rebels, 54 Tests)
Michael Hooper (31, NSW Waratahs, 124 Tests)
Jed Holloway (30, NSW Waratahs, 10 Tests)
Len Ikitau (24, ACT Brumbies, 26 Tests)
Max Jorgensen (18, NSW Waratahs, uncapped)
Andrew Kellaway (27, Melbourne Rebels, 21 Tests)
Lachlan Lonergan (23, ACT Brumbies, 8 Tests)
Ryan Lonergan (24, ACT Brumbies, uncapped)
Fraser McReight (24, Queensland Reds, 10 Tests)
Mark Nawaqanitawase (22, NSW Waratahs, 3 Tests)
Cadeyrn Neville (34, ACT Brumbies, 8 Tests)
Jordan Petaia (23, Queensland Reds, 25 Tests)
David Porecki (30, NSW Waratahs, 10 Tests)
Tom Robertson (28, Western Force, 31 Tests)
Pete Samu (31, ACT Brumbies, 32 Tests)
Blake Schoupp (23, ACT Brumbies, uncapped)
James Slipper (33, ACT Brumbies, 127 Tests)
Darcy Swain (25, ACT Brumbies, 17 Tests)
Jordan Uelese (26, Melbourne Rebels, 15 Tests)
Rob Valetini (24, ACT Brumbies, 30 Tests)
Suliasi Vunivalu (27, Queensland Reds, 1 Test)
Nic White (32, ACT Brumbies, 59 Tests)
Brad Wilkin (27, Melbourne Rebels, uncapped)
Tom Wright (26, ACT Brumbies, 23 Tests)
Rehab group
Angus Bell, Rob Leota, Taniela Tupou
Overseas based players to join via Zoom
Richie Arnold, Tom Banks (TBC), Quade Cooper, Bernard Foley, Marika Koroibete, Samu Kerevi (TBC), Will Skelton
Not considered for selection due to injury
Folau Fainga’a, Tom Lynagh, Alex Mafi, Hunter Paisami, Matt Philip, Izack Rodda
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