Nine months after the Wallabies died in the pool stages of the World Cup, Joe Schmidt is set to unveil his first national squad on Friday.
The Roar understands Schmidt will name a 36-man squad for the July Tests against Wales and Georgia.
It’s unlikely to include any player from overseas, with Schmidt more likely to call upon a few from the northern hemisphere by the time The Rugby Championship starts in August.
Schmidt has been reluctant to talk selection, instead preferring to keep his cards close to his chest as he gets up to speed with Australian rugby.
Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt will name his first Test squad later this week. (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images for Rugby Australia)
Even the dozens of players across the country informed to keep training by Schmidt’s Wallabies team are still on edge.
Why? There were 17 Reds, 14 Rebels and more than half-a-dozen Force and Waratahs players named – and that’s before the Brumbies, the highest placed Australian Super Rugby franchise, come into consideration.
So what might Schmidt’s Wallabies squad look like?
Hookers (3): Matt Faessler, Jordan Uelese, Billy Pollard
With Dave Porecki no closer to returning to the field, there will be at least one new hooker from Eddie Jones’ World Cup squad.
Matt Faessler is likely to keep his position and is favoured to start given his consistency, while Jordan Uelese enjoyed one of his best seasons in Super Rugby.
There’s still huge concern over Uelese’s throwing, but he’s the best scrummaging hooker in the country and given Australia’s concerns in the front-row, that extra muscle up front at the set-piece will be looked on favourably.
Wallabies hooker Jordan Uelese’s scrummaging strength will be important. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)
While there’s several smaller hookers with the ability to find space out wide, Billy Pollard looks the most promising of the lot.
Pollard has benefitted from an injury-free run and the injury to Lachie Lonergan, which has seen him regularly start for the Brumbies.
Props (6): James Slipper, Alex Hodgman, Isaac Kailea, Allan Alaalatoa, Taniela Tupou, Zane Nonggorr
Mike Cron has his work cut out because the Wallabies front-row stocks aren’t near where they need to be.
Angus Bell’s injury, along with Blake Schoupp’s frustrating shoulder issues and Tom Lambert’s season-ending injury, has stretched the Wallabies’ prop stocks.
It means there’s all sorts of pressure on James Slipper.
The loss of Bell means that former All Blacks prop Alex Hodgman, who joined the Reds this year, is likely to be immediately called up.
Alex Hodgman is likely to be called straight into the Wallabies squad. (Photo by Anthony Au-Yeung/Getty Images)
The injuries in the front-row could see Iaaac Kailea called up, with the Rebels prop likely up against Rhys Van Nek to make the squad.
The tight-head side should be a more straight forward decision, with Allan Alaalatoa looming like the obvious captain and Taniela Tupou to be his deputy in the No.3 jersey. Zane Nonggorr is likely just ahead of Sam Talakai.
Locks (4): Nick Frost, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Miles Amatosero, Josh Canham
The make-up of the second-row could be influenced by how many back-rowers could also play in the second-row.
But a couple of players look certain to earn call-ups, including Josh Canham and his Melbourne teammate Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, who is now fit and ready to go.
Nick Frost might have spent some time on the bench and at blindside flanker, but he’s proven himself as a Test player.
Josh Canham looks primed for a Wallabies call-up. (Photo by James Foy/Speed Media/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
The last spot is likely a toss-up between Darcy Swain, Izack Rodda and Miles Amatosero.
Swain struggled during the Super Rugby semi-final loss to the Blues while Rodda didn’t do enough to earn a national top-up. Plus, Rodda is expected to sign overseas.
Could that see Schmidt turn to a player of immense potential in Miles Amatosero, who might not be ready for international rugby but could be by the time the Lions arrive Down Under next year. Might that see him picked?
Back-row (7): Rob Valetini, Fraser McReight, Charlie Cale, Rob Leota, Tom Hooper, Jeremy Williams, Seru Uru
There’s no shortage of back-row options, with players across the country putting their hands up.
The fact Schmidt has said farewell to Lachie Swinton and Ned Hanigan, who signed with cashed-up French clubs over the past seven months, says there’s some depth in the area because the duo were two of the Waratahs’ best.
There’s only two locks in the side and they are Rob Valetini and Fraser McReight.
Charlie Cale has been this year’s big mover and could push for a starting spot.
Could Charlie Cale form a back-row partnership with his Brumbies teammate Rob Valetini? (Photo by Mark Nolan/Getty Images)
Rob Leota finished the year strongly and, along with Tom Hooper and Jeremy Williams, could also feature in the second-row if necessary.
Seru Uru brings a different dimension and could sneak in ahead of his Reds teammate Liam Wright.
Halfbacks (3): Nic White, Jake Gordon, Tate McDermott
Jake Gordon’s strong campaign will likely see him return to the squad along with Tate McDermott.
As for the third option? It’s a toss-up between Nic White and Ryan Lonergan.
At some point Australian rugby needs to find out more about Lonergan, but might Schmidt opt for the tried and tested White given the importance of starting well and the overseas youthful tinge across the squad?
Fly-halves (2): Noah Lolesio, Tom Lynagh
Carter Gordon’s decision to sign with the Titans looks to have made Schmidt’s decision easier.
With 14 Tests before the Lions campaign, Schmidt doesn’t have time to give Gordon time in the saddle.
Therefore, it’s likely Gordon will only be called up if there’s an injury or two in the No.10 jersey.
Noah Lolesio is favoured to start in the jersey, while there’s the thought Schmidt might include Tom Lynagh to find out more about the rising Reds talent.
Brumbies duo Noah Lolesio and Len Ikitau are set to return for the Wallabies. (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)
That doesn’t mean he will play, with at least one of Ben Donaldson and Kurtley Beale likely to be included, but Lynagh’s viewed as a player of real potential and a skill set that will stand the test of time.
Midfield (4): Hunter Paisami, Len Ikitau, Lalakai Foketi, Filipo Daugunu
Hunter Paisami and Len Ikitau are the strong favourites to start in the midfield, with Lalakai Foketi a likely back up.
But the fourth centre will be fascinating.
Josh Flook has been consistent as usual and deserves to be thought of, but Filipo Daugunu’s explosiveness and ability over the ball is tempting.
Rebels midfielder David Feliuai is the bolter.
Outsides backs (5): Tom Wright, Andrew Kellaway, Dylan Pietsch, Darby Lancaster, Triston Reilly
With Tom Wright the favourite to play fullback, Andrew Kellaway is a strong option on the wing.
Dylan Pietsch’s consistent campaign promises to see him finally get his chance in gold after going oh-so close to being called up to Jones’ World Cup campaign ahead of the Test against Portugal.
Darby Lancaster looks to have the inside running to be named in the squad. It’s unlikely Schmidt will name another Super Rugby rookie in Tim Ryan in the squad.
Waratahs back Triston Reilly impressed many with his touches throughout 2024, while Andy Muirhead is another who continually makes the right decision.
Utility backs (2): Kurtley Beale, Ben Donaldson
It’s likely at least one of Donaldson and Kurtley Beale will be picked in the squad.
Beale’s experience could be viewed favourably.