Wallaby XV squad announced for French Barbarians tour game
Qantas Wallabies coach Michael Cheika has named the Wallaby XV squad ahead of their tour game against the French Barbarians in Bordeaux on Thursday 24 November.
Nineteen players have already assembled in Bordeaux with up to five extra players from the Qantas Wallabies squad to fly from Dublin on Tuesday night.
Development players make up the majority of the squad although it does feature four overseas-based former Wallabies, with Peter Kimlin (Grenoble), Nathan Charles (Clermont), Mark Gerrard (Toyota Industries Shuttles) as well as former captain Ben Mowen (Pau) joining the ranks.
Prop David Lolohea has been rewarded for his strong form in the National Rugby Championship, called up to the Wallaby XV squad despite not having secured a Super Rugby contract for 2017.
The French Barbarians clash will also provide former rugby league star Marika Koroibete with his first taste of the fifteen man game in five years after Michael Cheika confirmed that all players will see game time.
“With the Wallaby XV, we want to create a mix of experienced players as well as our developing players coming through,” Michael Cheika said.
“A lot of these lads have been with us over the past three weeks on tour and have been preparing for this Wallaby XV game as their Test match, especially against an international line-up that the French Barbarians will have.”
Former Wallabies and NSW Waratahs assistant Scott Wisemantel leads an all-Australian coaching staff for the clash at Stade Chaban-Delmas.
Wisemantel, now an assistant at Montpellier, is joined by Melbourne Rebels backs coach Morgan Turinui and former Wallabies Justin Harrison and Chris Whitaker.
“It’s a great opportunity for me and I’m excited by the potential of some of these young Australians coming through the ranks,” Scott Wisemantel said.
“It’s a perfect setting for their development as well as my development as a coach.”
“This week is a great opportunity not only for the players but also for the coaches and staff to show they can impress at the International level,” Wisemantel said.
“We’re looking to invest more into our coaches back home, as well as Australian coaches overseas who are looking to get back into our system,” Michael Cheika said.
Former Qantas Wallabies captain, Ben Mowen: “It’s really exciting to be involved with an Australian team again and it’s an amazing opportunity to re-connect with the Australian rugby culture.”
“I have watched from afar and admired the current depth that been developed in Australian Rugby and I’m excited to get to play with that talent.”
“We all move on for different reasons but that love of Australian Rugby never leaves us and this is one of those special times where for a brief moment we get to put on an Aussie jersey and play with that same spirit again,” Mowen said.
The Wallaby XV clash against the French Barbarians will kick off at 6.45am AEDT on Friday, November 25, with Australian broadcast details to be announced shortly.
The Qantas Wallabies continue their Grand Slam quest in Dublin ahead of their fourth Test of the 2016 Spring Tour, against Ireland at Aviva Stadium on Saturday, November 26.
Wallaby XV squad
Sam Carter, ACT Brumbies
Nathan Charles, Clermont
Jack Dempsey, NSW Waratahs
Sef Fa’agase, Queensland Reds
Nick Frisby, Queensland Reds
Mark Gerrard, Toyota Industries Shuttles
Andrew Kellaway, NSW Waratahs
Peter Kimlin, Grenoble
Marika Koroibete, Melbourne Rebels
Jono Lance, Western Force
David Lolohea, Western Sydney Rams
Ben Mowen, Pau
Taqele Naiyaravoro, NSW Waratahs
Andrew Ready, Queensland Reds,
Izaia Perese, Queensland Reds
Tom Robertson, NSW Waratahs
Paddy Ryan, NSW Waratahs
Will Skelton, NSW Waratahs
Nic Stirzaker, Melbourne Rebels
Wallaby XV coaching staff
Scott Wisemantle, Montpellier assistant
Morgan Turinui, Melbourne Rebels assistant
Justin Harrison, former Narbonne head coach
Chris Whitaker, Montauban assistant
Remaining games of 2016 Spring Tour (all dates/times AEDT)
French Barbarians vs Wallaby XV at Stade Chaban-Delmas, 25th November, 6.45am AEDT
Ireland vs Qantas Wallabies at Aviva Stadium, 27th November, 4.30am AEDT
England vs Qantas Wallabies at Twickenham, 4th December, 1.30am AEDT
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