Uruguay Pool Opponents, Australia Name RWC Roster

Wallabies head coach Michael Cheika has named his 31 man roster for the World Cup. The team includes one uncapped player in prop Toby Smith and omits several experienced internationals, most notably former captain James Horwill. Other talking points include the absence of a third hooker and specialist scrumhalf, with Matt Giteau set to cover scrumhalf in an emergency.

Two players – Smith and flanker Sean McMahon – have yet to participate in a test this season, the rest played some part in the Rugby Championship and Bledisloe Cup matches. Stephen Moore continues as captain, while Adam Ashley-Cooper and Michael Hooper have been named vice-captains.

Second row Horwill, back row Scott Higginbotham, and scrumhalf Nic White have been left out despite playing test matches in recent weeks. Horwill has missed out to two players returning to Australia after playing overseas last season, Dean Mumm and Kane Douglas. Higginbotham has been overlooked in favour of Ben McCalman and Wycliff Palu, while a full host of outside backs have been preferred to White as a third choice halfback.

Smith gets the nod at prop ahead of the more conventional choice of Tetera Faulkner and experienced duo Benn Robinson and Ben Alexander. The absence of a third hooker will be seen as a gamble, particularly with Tatafu Polota-Nau’s recent injury record. James Hanson has instead been named in a group of standby players who will join the squad for the test against the US Eagles at Soldier Field on September 5.

Australia are in Pool A – the so-called ‘group of death’ – at the World Cup, along with Fiji, Wales, Uruguay, and hosts England. They begin their tournament Cardiff on September 23 against Fiji.

FORWARDS
Greg Holmes (Reds), Sekope Kepu (Waratahs), Scott Sio (Brumbies), James Slipper (Reds), Toby Smith (Rebels), Stephen Moore (capt., Brumbies), Tatafu Polota-Nau (Waratahs), Kane Douglas (Leinster), Dean Mumm (Waratahs), Rob Simmons (Reds), Will Skelton (Waratahs), Scott Fardy (Brumbies), Michael Hooper (Waratahs), Ben McCalman (Force), Sean McMahon (Rebels), Wycliff Palu (Waratahs), David Pocock (Brumbies)

BACKS
Will Genia (Reds), Nick Phipps (Waratahs), Quade Cooper (Reds), Bernard Foley (Waratahs), Kurtley Beale (Waratahs), Matt Giteau (Toulon), Matt To’omua (Brumbies), Adam Ashley-Cooper (Waratahs), Tevita Kuridrani (Brumbies), Rob Horne (Waratahs), Drew Mitchell (Toulon), Henry Speight (Brumbies), Joe Tomane (Brumbies), Israel Folau (Waratahs)

EXTENDED SQUAD TO FACE EAGLES
Tetera Faulkner (Force), James Hanson (Reds), Sam Carter (Brumbies), James Horwill (Reds), Dave Dennis (Waratahs), Scott Higginbotham (Reds), Nic White (Brumbies), Christian Leali’ifano (Brumbies), Samu Kerevi (Reds), Taqele Naiyaravoro (Waratahs)