De Lutiis bolts into Lions contention as Wallabies name squad for January camp

Fri, Dec 20, 2024, 3:58 AM
Nathan Williamson
by Nathan Williamson
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Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt has named a 40-player squad for a three-day camp in January in Sydney, with uncapped prop Massimo De Lutiis the big selection.

The 21-year-old prop is the lone uncapped player in the squad as Schmidt and the team conduct medical and physical testing on players prior to their return to their Super Rugby Pacific Clubs from annual leave.

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De Lutiis is yet to make his Super Rugby debut after missing the 2024 season with a quad injury.

However, Schmidt and the coaching staff's wraps on the former Junior Wallaby were clear after he started for Australia XV against England A in November.

This came after he made a successful return against Wales and Tonga in July before featuring in the Reds' tour matches against Saitama Wild Knights.

Schmidt has named only Australian-based talent within this squad, with Will Skelton, Marika Koroibete, and Samu Kerevi not selected.

The coach has included a host of players who made their Wallabies debuts in 2024.

This includes Darby Lancaster, Tane Edmed and Angus Blyth, with 19 players blooded in 2024.

The camp will be the last time a Wallabies group will assemble before the conclusion of Super Rugby Pacific 2025.

“These two and a half days provide a final opportunity to look back at the 2024 season, particularly our Tests in November, then have a quick glance at the programme for 2025," Schmidt said in a statement.

“It’s also a chance for the Wallabies performance and medical staff to facilitate testing before the players from the Spring Tour officially restart with their Super Rugby Pacific sides.

“As well as those in camp, it’s great to see a number of players coming back from injury and others who did well for the Australia XV team, who we are looking forward to watching during the upcoming Super Rugby Pacific season.”

Wallabies squad for January camp(Wallaby number, Super Rugby Pacific Club, first Australian Rugby club)

Forwards (22)

Allan Alaalatoa (#896, ACT Brumbies, West Harbour Juniors)

Angus Bell (#940, NSW Waratahs, Hunters Hill Rugby Club)

Angus Blyth (#974, Queensland Reds, Casuarina Beach Rugby Club)

Josh Canham (#987, Queensland Reds, Harlequin Junior Rugby Club)

Massimo De Lutiis (uncapped, Queensland Reds, Surfers Paradise Dolphins)

Matt Faessler (#969, Queensland Reds, USQ Saints)

Nick Frost (#953, ACT Brumbies, Hornsby Lions)

Langi Gleeson (#960, NSW Waratahs, Harbord Harlequins)

Isaac Kailea (#975, NSW Waratahs, Harlequin Junior Rugby Club)

Fraser McReight (#937, Queensland Reds, Albany Creek Brumbies)

Josh Nasser (#979, Queensland Reds, Easts (Brisbane))

Zane Nonggorr (#966, Queensland Reds, Gold Coast Eagles)

Brandon Paenga-Amosa (#918, Western Force, Southern Districts)

Billy Pollard (#958, ACT Brumbies, Lindfield Junior Rugby Club)

Lukhan Salakaia-Loto (#914, Queensland Reds, Randwick)

James Slipper (#843, ACT Brumbies, Bond Pirates)

Carlo Tizzano (#982, Western Force, University of Western Australia)

Taniela Tupou (#917, NSW Waratahs, Brothers Rugby)

Seru Uru (#985, Queensland Reds, Wests Bulldogs)

Rob Valetini (#929, ACT Brumbies, Harlequin Junior Rugby Club)

Jeremy Williams (#973, Western Force, Wahroonga Tigers)

Harry Wilson (#933, Queensland Reds, Gunnedah Red Devils)

Backs (18)

Ben Donaldson (#962, Western Force, Clovelly Eagles)

Tane Edmed (990, NSW Waratahs, West Harbour Juniors)

Josh Flook (#972, Queensland Reds, Brothers Rugby)

Jake Gordon (#925, NSW Waratahs, Canterbury Juniors)

Len Ikitau (#944, ACT Brumbies, Tuggeranong Vikings)

Max Jorgensen (#984, NSW Waratahs, Balmain Wolves)

Andrew Kellaway (#943, NSW Waratahs, Hunters Hill Rugby Club)

Darby Lancaster (#980, NSW Waratahs, Kempsey Cannonballs)

Noah Lolesio (#934, ACT Brumbies, Tuggeranong Vikings)

Tom Lynagh (#977, Queensland Reds, University of Queensland)

Tate McDermott (#936, Queensland Reds, Flinders Rugby Club)

Hunter Paisami (#932, Queensland Reds, Harlequin Junior Rugby Club)

Dylan Pietsch (#978, Western Force, Leeton Phantoms)

Harry Potter (#989, Western Force, Moorabbin Rams)

Hamish Stewart (#986, Western Force, Toowoomba Bears)

Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii (#988, NSW Waratahs, The Kings School)

Nic White (#875, Western Force, Maitland Blacks)

Tom Wright (#939, ACT Brumbies, Clovelly Eagles)

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