Eddie Jones has pulled off plenty of selection surprises after naming his 33-man Wallabies squad which will head to France next week ahead of the Rugby World Cup.
The Australian coach has opted for youth over experience with 25 players set to feature in their first World Cup, while the Test careers of Michael Hooper and Quade Cooper appear to be over after being left out of the side.
Wallabies team announcement: Eddie Jones names Australia squad for Rugby World Cup 2023
Jones’ second spell at the helm of the Wallabies has gotten off to a shaky start with the nation currently winless after four matches under his control.
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However, the veteran coach remains steadfast in his belief Australia can shock the world when the tournament begins in September.
"It’s a young squad, it’s an exciting squad and it will be a successful squad," Jones declared.
"I’ve backed the young blokes because they earned it - simple as that. I haven’t handed it to them. They grabbed it.
"It’s exciting for me to go to work each day with these guys who are just busting to improve, to learn and to get better.
"They want to succeed, and they will succeed, and that excitement is rubbing off on everyone."
Jones' bold selection calls are perhaps exemplified in his options for flyhalf with Carter Gordon and Ben Donaldson his chosen duo in that position despite having played just six Test matches between them at this point.
Cooper, who has struggled in the No.10 jersey since his return from injury this year, will not feature for Australia, while the likes of Reece Hodge and Jed Holloway were also cut.
"The experts have written us off," Jones said.
"No one believes we can do it, but we believe. The coaches believe, the players believe and that’s all that matters."
Will Skelton named Wallabies captain
In arguably the biggest bombshell in the squad announcement, the Wallabies have named a new captain with the nation’s longest-serving skipper, Hooper, unable to recover from a calf injury in time to ensure a swansong.
Will Skelton will instead lead the side out in France, after co-captain James Slipper was included in the squad but demoted from the leadership group.
Tate McDermott, who captained the side against the All Blacks in the Bledisloe Cup last week, will serve as Skelton’s deputy.
Skelton, who plies his trade for La Rochelle in the French league, will captain the least-experienced Australian side since the 1991 tournament.
Three uncapped players have been included in the squad - Max Jorgensen, Issak Fines-Leleiwasa and Blake Schoupp - while Jones has opted to stick strong with Suliasi Vunivalu who has had an underwhelming time in the Wallabies jersey since his code-switch from rugby league.
Wallabies World Cup squad 2023
Forwards
Hookers: Dave Porecki, Jordan Uelese, Matt Faessler
Props: Angus Bell, James Slipper, Blake Schoupp, Taniela Tupou, Pone Fa’amausili, Zane Nonggorr
Locks: Richie Arnold, Nick Frost, Will Skelton, Matt Philip
Back-row: Tom Hooper, Rob Leota, Fraser McReight, Rob Valetini, Langi Gleeson
Backs
Halfbacks: Tate McDermott, Nic White, Issak Fines-Leleiwasa
Fly-halves: Carter Gordon
Centres: Samu Kerevi, Jordan Petaia, Izaia Perese, Lalakai Foketi
Outside backs: Mark Nawaqanitawase, Suliasi Vunivalu, Marika Koroibete, Andrew Kellaway, Max Jorgensen
Utility: Ben Donaldson, Josh Kemeny
