QANTAS WALLABIES SQUAD CONFIRMED FOR MITSUBISHI ESTATE IRELAND SERIES

May 30 • General News, International • 1491 Views • Comments Off on QANTAS WALLABIES SQUAD CONFIRMED FOR MITSUBISHI ESTATE IRELAND SERIES

Qantas Wallabies Squad for Mitsubishi Estate Ireland Series (with Test caps, Super Rugby team and age in brackets)

Forwards
Allan Alaalatoa (23 Tests, Brumbies, 24)
Rory Arnold (15 Tests, Brumbies, 27)
Adam Coleman (20 Tests, Melbourne Rebels, 26)
Folau Fainga’a* (uncapped, Brumbies, 23)
Ned Hanigan (12 Tests, NSW Waratahs, 23)
Michael Hooper (c) (79 Tests, NSW Waratahs, 26)
Sekope Kepu (91 Tests, NSW Waratahs, 32)
Brandon Paenga-Amosa* (uncapped, Queensland Reds, 22)
David Pocock (66 Tests, Brumbies, 30)
Tom Robertson (18 Tests, NSW Waratahs, 23)
Rob Simmons (82 Tests, NSW Waratahs, 29)
Scott Sio (43 Tests, Brumbies, 26)
Izack Rodda (4 Tests, Queensland Reds, 21)
Caleb Timu* (uncapped, Queensland Reds, 24)
Lukhan Tui (4 Tests, Queensland Reds, 21)
Taniela Tupou (1 Test, Queensland Reds, 22)
Jordan Uelese (2 Tests, Melbourne Rebels, 21)

Backs
Tom Banks* (uncapped, Brumbies, 23)
Kurtley Beale (71 Tests, NSW Waratahs, 29)
Israel Folau (62 Tests, NSW Waratahs, 29)
Bernard Foley (vc) (55, NSW Waratahs, 28)
Will Genia (vc) (88 Tests, Melbourne Rebels, 30)
Dane Haylett-Petty (18 Tests, Melbourne Rebels, 28)
Reece Hodge (24, Melbourne Rebels, 23)
Samu Kerevi (18 Tests, Queensland Reds, 24)
Marika Koroibete (8 Tests, Melbourne Rebels, 25)
Tevita Kuridrani (58 Tests, Brumbies, 27)
Jack Maddocks* (uncapped, Melbourne Rebels, 21)
Sefanaia Naivalu (7 Tests, Melbourne Rebels, 26)
Nick Phipps (61 Tests, NSW Waratahs, 29)
Joe Powell (3 Tests, Brumbies, 24)
Curtis Rona (3 Tests, NSW Waratahs, 26)
*denotes uncapped player

Cheika confirms squad for Mitsubishi Estate Ireland Series
Qantas Wallabies coach Michael Cheika has confirmed his squad for the blockbuster three-Test Mitsubishi Estate Ireland Series that kicks off at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday 9 June.

The squad includes five uncapped players including boom rookie Jack Maddocks and in-form Brumbies fullback Tom Banks.

Maddocks has been in scintillating form for the Melbourne Rebels with eight tries so far during Vodafone Super Rugby while Banks has got over the stripe six times in 12 games.

Brumbies hooker Folau Fainga’a has earned his first squad selection while Reds duo Caleb Timu and Brandon Paenga-Amosa will also be knocking down the door for their Test debut.

It’s been a rapid rise for Paenga-Amosa who was playing in Sydney’s Shute Shield just a year ago before starring in the National Rugby Championship.

Each of Australia’s four Super Rugby sides are well represented with six Reds, eight Brumbies, eight Rebels, and 10 Waratahs, with an average age of 25 across the squad.

Qantas Wallabies coach Michael Cheika said: “Brandon’s (Paenga-Amosa) gone up against Malcom Marx and performed right at that level.

“For me, a guy who’s come out of club rugby, Southern Districts in New South Wales and then he played in the NRC, got his opportunity out there, was spotted by the Reds and has taken that opportunity with both hands.

“I think Jack (Maddocks) has had a really good year, he’s had a couple of up and down games as well, because he’s nearly played every game, if I’m not wrong, and a lot of minutes for a young fella coming into Super Rugby.

“He’s changed between fullback and wing, and shown a lot of good qualities, good skill and high work rate.

“Still got a lot to learn, but I think he deserves the opportunity he’s got,” Cheika said.

It will be the first time Australia and Ireland will face-off in a three Test Series, with the opening clash at Suncorp Stadium on June 9 before fixtures at AAMI Park in Melbourne (June 16) and Allianz Stadium in Sydney (June 23).

Tickets are selling fast for the Series with the third Test at Allianz Stadium in Sydney already sold out. For tickets, visit ticketek.com.

FOX SPORTS will showcase every match of the Mitsubishi Estate Ireland Series LIVE with no ad-breaks during play and in HD.

All matches will also be screened LIVE and free in HD on TEN and WIN Network and streaming on tenplay.com.au

Mitsubishi Estate Ireland Series
Qantas Wallabies v Ireland at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane, Saturday 9 June 8.05pm AEST
Qantas Wallabies v Ireland at AAMI Park, Melbourne, Saturday 16 June 8.05pm AEST
Qantas Wallabies v Ireland at Allianz Stadium, Sydney, Saturday 23 June 8.05pm AEST