Eddie Jones has named his 34-man Wallabies squad for their upcoming Bledisloe Cup matches against New Zealand with a number of notable omissions made.
Australia have started their second term under the guidance of Jones in disappointing fashion having lost their opening two games of their Rugby Championship campaign this month.
Eddie Jones wields axe on Wallabies squad ahead of Bledisloe Cup
The coach has acted accordingly following those defeats to South Africa and Argentina by dropping Tom Wright- who started both of those matches at fullback – along with Pete Samu and Reece Hodge.
MORE: Eddie Jones fires warning shot ahead of Bledisloe Cup opener
Rebels duo Josh Kemeny and Matt Gibbon have also paid the price for the underwhelming showings, while their teammate Andrew Kellaway is a big inclusion along with Langi Gleeson, Jordan Petaia and Taniela Tupou.
“We’re very disappointed with the results during stage one of our campaign,” Jones said.
“We need to find more in stage two and Melbourne will be a ground where we will find our best.”
The Wallabies will be looking to end their 21-year Bledisloe Cup drought when they face the All Blacks at the MCG for the Bledisloe Cup opener on July 29.
Following the first meeting between the trans-Tasman rivals, the Wallabies will then make their way across the ditch where they will play New Zealand at Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin on August 5.
Both sides are gearing up for the World Cup in September but have shown vastly different form in the Rugby Championship so far with Scott Robertson’s tenure starting off in impressive style.
Although Jones – speaking after the unveiling of Australia’s 2025 fixture lists against the British and Irish Lions – was bullish about his side’s chances of upsetting the All Blacks on home soil.
“I quite fancy ourselves against New Zealand,” he said.
“If we’re able to match [their intensity] in the first 20 minutes and put a bit of pressure on them, which they haven’t had this year, then funny things can happen.”
MORE: When did Australia last win the Bledisloe Cup? Full history and 2023 fixtures
Wallabies squad for Bledisloe Cup 2023
Forwards: Allan Alaalatoa (Brumbies), Richie Arnold (Toulouse), Angus Bell (Waratahs), Pone Fa’amausili (Melbourne Rebels), Matt Faessler (Reds), Nick Frost (Brumbies), Langi Gleeson (Waratahs), Jed Holloway (Waratahs), Tom Hooper (Brumbies), Rob Leota (Melbourne Rebels), Fraser McReight (Reds), Matt Philip (Melbourne Rebels), David Porecki (Waratahs), Will Skelton (La Rochelle), Blake Schoupp (Brumbies), James Slipper ( Brumbies, cc), Taniela Tupou (Reds), Jordan Uelese (Melbourne Rebels), Rob Valetini (Brumbies)
Backs: Quade Cooper (Kintetsu Liners), Lalakai Foketi (Waratahs,), Carter Gordon (Melbourne Rebels), Andrew Kellaway (Melbourne Rebels), Samu Kerevi Urayasu D-Rocks), Marika Koroibete (Saitama Wild Knights), Ryan Lonergan (Brumbies), Tate McDermott (Reds), Mark Nawaqanitawase (Waratahs), Izaia Perese (Waratahs), Jordan Petaia (Reds), Suliasi Vunivalu (Reds), Nic White (Brumbie), Ben Donaldson (Waratahs), Dylan Pietsch (Waratahs)
Bledisloe Cup 2023 tickets
Tickets for the first Bledisloe Cup game at the MCG are on sale for the general public via the Ticketek website.
Seats are priced from $30 for adults and $60 for families, while tickets for juniors under 16 are priced from $20.
When is the Bledisloe Cup 2023?
| Match | Date | Time (AEST) | Venue |
| Game 1 | Sat. July 29 | 7:45 pm | MCG, Melbourne |
| Game 2 | Sat. Aug 5 | 12:35 pm | Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin |
