Cheika Names 36-man Roster for Rugby Championship

Wallabies Head Coach Michael Cheika has named a 36-man roster ahead of the Rugby Championship roster on August 20.

Coming off a telling 3-0 series defeat against England the Australians are stepping-up their preparations by calling-in reinforcements from France. This sees Matt Giteau returning from Toulon to replace Christian Leali’ifano of the Brumbies.

Giteau will be joined by Bordeaux winger Adam Ashley-Cooper, Stade Français scrumhalf Will Genia and Toulon’s Drew Mitchell as the current Top 14 contingent.

Also departing France is Sekope Kepu who has said goodbye to Bordeaux after his wife was struggling to adapt to the move.  Another player in the mix is Quade Cooper who was released by Toulon after failing to perform to the desired standards.

The Wallabies will open their Rugby Championship campaign at home against New Zealand on August 20. The fixture will take place at the 2000 Olympic Games stadium in Sydney.

FORWARDS
Allan Ala’alatoa (Brumbies), Sekope Kepu (Bordeaux, FR), Tom Robertson (Waratahs), Scott Sio (Brumbies), James Slipper (Reds), Toby Smith (Rebels), James Hanson (Rebels), Stephen Moore (capt., Brumbies), Tatafu P0lota-Nau (Waratahs), Adam Coleman (Force), Kane Douglas (Reds), Dean Mumm (Waratahs), Rob Simmons (Reds), Will Skelton (Waratahs), Scott Fardy (Brumbies), Michael Hooper (Waratahs), Ben McCalman (Force), Sean McMahon (Rebels), David Pocock (Brumbies), Lopeti Timani (Rebels)

BACKS
Nick Frisby (Reds), Will Genia (Stade Français, FR), Nick Phipps (Waratahs), Quade Cooper (Toulon, FR), Bernard Foley (Waratahs), Matt Giteau (Toulon, FR), Matt To’omua (Brumbies), Reece Hodge (Rebels), Samu Kerevi (Reds), Tevita Kuridrani (Brumbies), Adam Ashley-Cooper (Bordeaux, FR), Rob Horne (Waratahs), Drew Mitchell (Toulon, FR), Luke Morahan (Force), Israel Folau (Waratahs), Dane Haylett-Petty (Force)