There is one last international competition to go, before the 2023 Rugby World Cup gets underway in September. Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and Argentina are soon to battle it out for the 2023 Rugby Championship, with the action commencing this weekend.
The All Blacks have landed in Argentina, with the Wallabies travel to Pretoria for a clash against the Springboks. Eddie Jones has announced his first matchday squad of 23, and will make his debut as Head Coach of the Wallabies.
Jones has selected an interesting side, including four uncapped players. This quartet of bolters will be aiming to put their hands up for RWC selection, with a big performance against the ‘Boks set to help them on the road to France. Brumbies Flanker Tom Hooper, Queensland prop Zane Nonggor, Toulouse lock Richie Arnold and Melbourne Rebels fly half Carter Gordon are all eager for their first Australia caps.
Jones has also decided to re-vamp the leadership group for the Wallabies, and is set to debut a co-captains system in the Rugby Championship opener with South Africa. Prop James Slipper and flanker Michael Hooper will share the captaincy, and will lead the Wallabies out at Loftus Versfield Stadium.
As a squad, the players have worked extremely hard since coming together as a group and we’ve prepared well this week,” Jones said (as reported by The Sporting News).
“The 23 players selected have an opportunity to be part of history with a win over South Africa in Pretoria.”
The Springboks and Wallabies kick off on Saturday 8th July, with a UK start time of 16:05pm.
Eddie Jones’ Australia team to play South Africa
1. James Slipper (c)
2. David Porecki
3. Allan Alaalatoa
4. Nick Frost
5. Will Skelton
6. Tom Hooper*
7. Michael Hooper (c)
8. Rob Valetini
9. Nic White
10. Quade Cooper
11. Marika Koroibete
12. Reece Hodge
13. Len Ikitau
14. Suliasi Vunivalu
15. Tom Wright
Bench:
16. Jordan Uelese
17. Matt Gibbon
18. Zane Nonggorr*
19. Richie Arnold*
20. Pete Samu
21. Tate McDermott
22. Samu Kerevi
23. Carter Gordon*
*uncapped