Wallabies Dump Cooper from Rugby Championship

Wallabies Head Coach Michael Cheika has dumped Quade Cooper from the Rugby Championship. The Queensland Reds flyhalf was the notable omission from the 38-man roster named by Cheika.

The non-selection of Cooper marks the first time since 2013 that he has been left out when fit. The previous occasion was under Robbie Deans. The New Zealander dropped Cooper ahead of the 2013 British & Irish Lions tour of Australia.

Cheika explained his decision as being motivated by Cooper’s performances in Super Rugby. This leaves Bernard Foley as the favorite to wear the Wallabies 10 shirt this season. Having returned from the Aviva Premiership, Kurtley Beale is set to provide backup.

Also left out by Cheika is Scott Higginbotham. Also from the Queensland Reds, the veteran back-rower has been overtaken by younger players.

There are places for uncapped players including Jordan Uelese, Sef Fa’agase, Izack Rodda, Adam Korczyk, Campbell Magnay, Izaia Perese, Bill Meakes, and Curtis Rona. Meakes’ inclusion comes following a return from a stint with Gloucester in the Aviva Premiership.

Meanwhile Western Force front-rowers Pek Cowan and Tetera Faulkner both return. Neither player has been capped since 2014. This coincides with the non-selection of Melbourne Rebels’ prop Toby Smith. The 120-time capped Stephen Moore captains the team from hooker.

FORWARDS
Jermaine Ainsley (Force), Pek Cowan (Force), Sef Fa’agase (Reds), Tetera Faulkner (Force), Sekope Kepu (Waratahs), Tom Robertson (Waratahs), Taniela Tupou (Reds), Tolu Latu (Waratahs), Stephen Moore (capt., Reds), Tatafu Polota-Nau (Force), Jordan Uelese (Rebels), Adam Coleman (Force), Kane Douglas (Reds), Ned Hanigan (Waratahs), Izack Rodda (Reds), Rob Simmons (Reds), Jack Dempsey (Waratahs), Richard Hardwick (Force), Michael Hooper (Waratahs), Adam Korczyk (Reds), Sean McMahon (Rebels), Lopeti Timani (Rebels)

BACKS
Will Genia (Stade Français), Nick Phipps (Waratahs), Bernard Foley (Waratahs), Kurtley Beale (Waratahs), Reece Hodge (Rebels), Karmichael Hunt (Reds), Samu Kerevi (Reds), Campbell Magnay (Reds), Bill Meakes (Force), Dane Haylett-Petty (Force), Marika Koroibete (Rebels), Eto Nabuli (Reds), Sefa Naivalu (Rebels), Izaia Perese (Reds), Curtis Rona (Force), Israel Folau (Waratahs)