Australia squad for Rugby World Cup 2023: Full list of players selected for Wallabies

Jonathan Burnett

Australia squad for Rugby World Cup 2023: Full list of players selected for Wallabies image

Rugby Union in Australia is arguably undergoing its biggest period of transition since the start of the professional era, experiencing a sea-change of players, coaches, and results in the last 12 months. Following Dave Rennie's sacking at the end of 2022, Eddie Jones is back in the Wallabies fold for the first time since 2005, and his first challenge is the small matter of a Rugby World Cup.

The Wallabies have had a difficult few months leading into the tournament, losing all five of their matches this calendar year including hammerings by South Africa, New Zealand and France respectively. Still searching for a first win back in charge of Australia, Jones has picked a squad brimming with experimentation.

It's an inexperienced selection to say the least, with three uncapped players included in the form of Blake Schoupp, Isaak Fines-Leleiwasa and 18-year-old Max Jorgensen, while only 14 members of the 33-man squad have more than 15 caps.

Unlike most teams at this World Cup, Australia won't have a solitary leader, with France-based lock Will Skelton and scrum-half Tate McDermott named as co-captains, in a move which will see likely starter Skelton lead the side from the off and McDermott take the reins whenever he's on the pitch.

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However, it's the absence of Michael Hooper and Quade Cooper which has raised the most eyebrows, with neither veteran deemed fit enough to travel following injuries over the summer. Flanker Hooper has been a mainstay of the side for the last decade, but calf trouble has put paid to his tournament ambitions, with 22-year-old namesake Tom Hooper taking his place amongst the back rowers.

MORE: Rugby World Cup 2023: Matches, results, pools, schedule, fixture list for tournament in France

Cooper, meanwhile, has been in and out of the side for an even longer period, but had looked set for a seat on the plane after returning to the international setup in 2021. However, persistent injury issues have seen the 35-year-old overlooked for young playmakers Carter Gordon and Ben Donaldson, as Australia head to the World Cup with just six caps between their two specialist fly-halves.

In Pool C alongside a similarly down-on-their-luck Wales, tournament returnees Portugal, and the resurgent, Tier 1-toppling Fiji and Georgia, the youthful Wallabies have one hell of a task on their hands if they're to make a dent at this World Cup.

Australia full 2023 Rugby World Cup squad

Jones' 33-man squad for the World Cup is split between 19 forwards and 14 backs, and will be co-captained by the aforementioned Will Skelton and Tate McDermott

Name Position Club
Dave Porecki Hooker NSW Waratahs
Jordan Uelese Hooker Melbourne Rebels
Matt Faessler Hooker Queensland Reds
Angus Bell Prop NSW Waratahs
Blake Schoupp Prop ACT Brumbies
James Slipper Prop ACT Brumbies
Pone Fa'amausili Prop Melbourne Rebels
Taniela Tupou Prop Queensland Reds
Zane Nonggorr Prop Queensland Reds
Matt Philip Lock Melbourne Rebels
Nick Forst Lock ACT Brumbies
Richie Arnold Lock Toulouse
Will Skelton (co-captain) Lock La Rochelle
Fraser McReight Back Row Queensland Reds
Josh Kemeny Back Row Melbourne Rebels
Langi Gleeson Back Row NSW Waratahs
Rob Leota Back Row Melbourne Rebels
Rob Valetini Back Row ACT Brumbies
Tom Hooper Back Row ACT Brumbies
Issak Fines-Leleiwasa Scrum-Half Western Force
Nic White Scrum-Half ACT Brumbies
Tate McDermott (co-captain) Scrum-Half Queensland Reds
Ben Donaldson Fly-Half NSW Waratahs
Carter Gordon Fly-Half Melbourne Rebels
Izaia Perese Centre NSW Waratahs
Jordan Petaia Centre Queensland Reds
Lalakai Foketi Centre NSW Waratahs
Samu Kerevi Centre Tokyo Sungoliath
Marika Koroibete Winger Saitama Wild Knights
Mark Nawaqanitawase Winger NSW Waratahs
Max Jorgensen Winger NSW Waratahs
Suliasi Vunivalu Winger Queensland Reds
Andrew Kellaway Fullback Melbourne Rebels

Jonathan Burnett

Jonathan Burnett Photo

Jonathan is a freelance content producer and commentator for Sporting News UK, with a focus on international rugby tournaments like the Six Nations and Rugby World Cup. He also works as a commentator for StatsPerform’s football network, covering matches across Europe including the Champions League, 2022 FIFA World Cup, and the 2023 Women's World Cup. He’s a regular contributor to the history and statistics website Rugby League Project.

Jonny graduated from Leeds University with a journalism degree in 2021 and was Head of Media at Widnes Vikings RLFC in 2023. A self-confessed nerd of rugby league, union and football (soccer). Jonathan’s coverage across several sports can be found on the TSN site.