Gamble in as Wallabies name first training squad of 2023

Fri, Jan 6, 2023, 2:57 AM
Nathan Williamson
by Nathan Williamson
The Wallabies travelled to Cardiff for their final Spring Tour match of 2022.

Wallabies coach Dave Rennie has named a 44-player training squad ahead of next week's four-day camp on the Gold Coast.

It continues their preparations ahead of this year's World Cup, with NSW Waratahs backrower Charlie Gamble the major inclusion.

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The New Zealand-born Gamble will be eligible to represent Australia from April, emerging on selectors' radars after a breakout 2022 campaign with the Waratahs.

It continues his meteoric rise, picked up from suburban Rugby club Petersham before earning his Super Rugby debut in 2021.

Gamble is joined by Brumbies scrumhalf Ryan Lonergan as the two uncapped players in the extended squad.

Lonergan has been included in Dave Rennie's training squads over the past two seasons, stepping up as Australia A captain in 2022.

The squad remains relatively settled from the Spring Tour, with the likes of Bernard Foley, Tom Banks and Will Skelton staying with their clubs overseas.

However, a host of injured stars have been included, headlined by Quade Cooper and Samu Kerevi.

Cooper and Kerevi picked up season-ending injuries during the Rugby Championship as they look to return towards the end of the Japan Rugby League One season.

Along with this, the likes of Taniela Tupou, Matt Philip, Rob Leota, Izaia Perese and Angus Bell have been named as they continue their rehab from long-term injuries suffered during the International season.

Force lock Izack Rodda has also been selected after missing the entirety of the 2022 Test calendar due to a foot injury along with returning Waratah Kurtley Beale.

“What’s exciting for us is that over the past three years we’ve created genuine depth and competition of places," Rennie said in a statement.

“Of the 44 players all bar two have worn the gold jersey over the past three years and there’s also several fringe players who still have an opportunity to force their way into the next camp through strong Super Rugby form.

“We’ll use the four days to make sure all players head back to their franchises with a clear understanding on what will give them the best chance of representing their country in a World Cup year.”

Wallabies January training squad

Props

Allan Alaalatoa

Angus Bell

Matt Gibbon

Tom Robertson

James Slipper

Sam Talakai

Taniela Tupou

Hookers

Folau Fainga’a

Lachlan Lonergan

David Porecki

Locks

Nick Frost

Cadeyrn Neville

Matt Philip

Izack Rodda

Darcy Swain

Loose Forwards

Charlie Gamble

Langi Gleeson

Ned Hanigan

Jed Holloway

Michael Hooper

Rob Leota

Fraser McReight

Pete Samu

Rob Valetini

Harry Wilson

Scrumhalves

Jake Gordon

Ryan Lonergan

Tate McDermott

Nic White

Flyhalves

Quade Cooper

Ben Donaldson

Noah Lolesio

Centres

Lalakai Foketi

Len Ikitau

Hunter Paisami

Izaia Perese

Samu Kerevi

Outside Backs

Kurtley Beale

Jock Campbell

Reece Hodge

Andrew Kellaway

Mark Nawaqanitawase

Jordan Petaia

Tom Wright

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