6 players with links to Fiji have been named in the Wallabies squad for the Rugby Championship while another notable inclusion is star fly-half Quade Cooper who is back from injury.
Wallabies coach, Eddie Jones has named Marika Koroibete, Samu Kerevi, Rob Valetini, Mark Nawaqanitawase, Langi Gleeson and Suliasi Vunivalu.
Jones has also selected 5 overseas-based based players unlike the 3 that is the norm for Rugby Australia.
Veteran flanker Michael Hooper has been named joint-Wallabies captain alongside Brumbies prop James Slipper.
Bernard Foley misses out with Jones instead opting for Melbourne starlet Carter Gordon and outside back utilities Ben Donaldson and Reece Hodge.
Jones says they have worked hard with the leadership group since January, and it will be important they continue to have strong support from the players around them.
Hooper, who captained the Wallabies at the 2019 Rugby World Cup, says it will be an absolute honour to lead the squad alongside Slipper.
The Wallabies squad:
Forwards
Allan Alaalatoa, Richie Arnold, Matt Faessler, Nick Frost, Matt Gibbon, Jed Holloway, Michael Hooper (co-captain), Tom Hooper, Rob Leota, Fraser McReight, Zane Nonggorr, David Porecki, Pete Samu, Will Skelton, James Slipper, Taniela Tupou, Jordan Uelese, Rob Valetini.
Backs
Quade Cooper, Lalakai Foketi, Carter Gordon, Reece Hodge, Len Ikitau, Marika Koroibete, Ryan Lonergan, Tate McDermott, Mark Nawaqanitawase, Izaia Perese, Suliasi Vunivalu, Nic White, Tom Wright.
Utilities
Ben Donaldson,Josh Kemeny, Dylan Pietsch,
Rehab group
Angus Bell, Langi Gleeson, Andrew Kellaway, Samu Kerevi, Jordan Petaia, Matt Philip.
The Rugby Championship will kick off next Sunday 9th of July with Australia taking on South Africa at 3.05am while New Zealand will play Argentina at 7.10am.
Source: stuff.co ***
