Wright, Samu included in Australia A squad to face Portugal

Tue, Aug 15, 2023, 4:26 AM
Nathan Williamson
by Nathan Williamson
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Wallabies coach Eddie Jones has selected the Australia A squad to take on Portugal in Paris on August 26.

Brumbies duo Pete Samu and Tom Wright headline the 15 players with Test experience in the squad, which will serve as a warm-up before the Wallabies face 'Os Lobos' on October 2.

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Wright joins an electric back three group that includes Corey Toole, Lachie Anderson and Dylan Pietsch, who narrowly missed the Wallabies Rugby World Cup squad.

72-Test veteran James O'Connor is one of four Reds centre options that includes Hunter Paisami, Filipo Daugunu and Josh Flook.

Uncapped duo Ryan Lonergan and James Tuttle are the two scrum-halves, paired alongside fly-half Bernard Foley.

Meanwhile, Samu and Waratahs forward Ned Hanigan are amongst several capped Wallabies in the forwards at coach Jason Gilmore's disposal.

Folau Fainga'a and Lachie Lonergan will share the hooking duties whilst returning Rebel Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Darcy Swain and Josh Canham make up the second row.

Wallabies trio Matt Gibbon, Sam Talakai and Harry Johnson-Holmes have been included in the front-row along with Tom Lambert and Rhys van Nek

“It is a quality squad with a good mix of experience and youth throughout," Gilmore said.

“This is a valuable opportunity for these players, playing on the doorstep of the Rugby World Cup, just days before it kicks off – however the most important thing for us will be to play well together as a team.

“The Rugby World Cup is a long tournament, and history suggests you rarely finish with the same squad that you begin with.

“The players are aware of the possibility that the Wallabies may need an injury replacement, and this is an opportunity for them to put themselves in the picture.

“We are excited to be playing a World Cup team in Portugal, and we expect a strong performance from our team.”

Australia A squad to play Portugal (caps refer to Wallabies Tests):

Props (5)

Matt Gibbon, Melbourne Rebels – 5 caps

Harry Johnson-Holmes, NSW Waratahs – 1 cap

Tom Lambert, NSW Waratahs – 0 caps

Sam Talakai, Melbourne Rebels – 1 cap

Rhys van Nek, ACT Brumbies – 0 caps

Hookers (2)

Folau Fainga’a, Western Force – 38 caps

Lachlan Lonergan, ACT Brumbies – 8 caps

Locks (3)

Josh Canham, Melbourne Rebels – 0 caps

Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Melbourne Rebels – 30 caps

Darcy Swain, ACT Brumbies – 17 caps

Back Row (5)

Ned Hanigan, NSW Waratahs – 28 caps

Pete Samu, ACT Brumbies – 33 caps

Lachlan Swinton, NSW Waratahs – 4 caps

Seru Uru, QLD Reds – 0 caps

Brad Wilkin, Melbourne Rebels – 0 caps

Scrum-halves (2)

Ryan Lonergan, ACT Brumbies – 0 caps

James Tuttle, Melbourne Rebels – 0 caps

Fly-halves (1)

Bernard Foley, Japan – 76 caps

Centres (4)

Filipo Daugunu*, QLD Reds – 7 caps

Josh Flook, QLD Reds – 0 caps

James O’Connor, QLD Reds – 72 caps

Hunter Paisami, QLD Reds – 24 caps

Outside Backs (4)

Lachlan Anderson, Melbourne Rebels – 0 caps

Dylan Pietsch, NSW Waratahs – 0 caps

Corey Toole, ACT Brumbies – 0 caps

Tom Wright, ACT Brumbies – 23 caps

*pending fitness - Joey Walton (NSW Waratahs) is on standby

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