Wallabies: 34-man Rugby Championship squad named featuring eight uncapped players

Tom Naghten

Wallabies: 34-man Rugby Championship squad named featuring eight uncapped players image

Eddie Jones has named eight uncapped players in his 34-man Wallabies squad for the 2023 Rugby Championship.

Headlined by lock Richie Arnold, a host of new faces are in the mix for their first Wallabies cap when the Rugby Championship kicks off next month.

Arnold, along with Matt Faessler, Tom Hooper, Zane Nonggorr, Carter Gordon, Ryan Lonergan, Josh Kemeny and Dylan Pietsch have been included in the squad for Jones' first competitive matches since his return to the head coaching role.

MORE: Super Rugby Final: Crusaders champions again as they topple the Chiefs

Significantly, Jones has also confirmed Michael Hooper and James Slipper will share the captaincy, a first for the Wallabies.

“Michael and James are both world class players, strong leaders and embody what it means to be a Wallaby," Jones said.

“They have worked hard with the leadership group since January, and it will be important they continue to have strong support from the players around them.

“Getting selected in the squad is just the start, we’ve got to build the team now and that will require hard work and getting a little bit more out of everyone involved.”

Five overseas-based players have been included in the squad, with Samu Kerevi, Marika Koroibete, Will Skelton and Quade Cooper joining Arnold.

Wallabies squad for 2023 Rugby Championship

Forwards

Allan Alaalatoa, Richie Arnold, Matt Faessler, Nick Frost, Matt Gibbon, Jed Holloway, Michael Hooper (co-captain), Tom Hooper, Rob Leota, Fraser McReight, Zane Nonggorr, David Porecki, Pete Samu, Will Skelton, James Slipper (co-captain), Taniela Tupou, Jordan Uelese, Rob Valetini

Backs

Quade Cooper, Lalakai Foketi, Carter Gordon, Reece Hodge, Len Ikitau, Marika Koroibete, Ryan Lonergan, Tate McDermott, Mark Nawaqanitawase, Izaia Perese, Suliasi Vunivalu, Nic White, Tom Wright

Utility

Ben Donaldson, Josh Kemeny, Dylan Pietsch

Rehab group

Angus Bell, Langi Gleeson, Andrew Kellaway, Samu Kerevi, Jordan Petaia, Matt Philip

Not considered due to injury

Max Jorgensen, Tom Robertson, Izack Rodda, Corey Toole

Further train-on squad

Forwards

Charlie Cale, Josh Canham, Pone Fa'amausili, Folau Fainga'a, Charlie Gamble, Ned Hanigan, Tom Lambert, Lachlan Lonergan, Cadeyrn Neville, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Blake Schoupp, Darcy Swain, Lachlan Swinton, Sam Talakai, Brad Wilkin, Harry Wilson, 

Backs

Lachlan Anderson, Jock Campbell, Filipo Daugunu, Issak Fines-Leleiwasa, Josh Flook, Bernard Foley, Jake Gordon, James O'Connor, Hunter Paisami, James Tuttle, Joey Walton

Utility

Seru Uru

Wallabies 2023 Rugby Championship fixtures.

Wallabies v South Africa

Saturday 8 July, 5:05pm SAST/1:05am AEST, Loftus Versfeld Stadium, Pretoria

Wallabies v Argentina

Saturday 15 July, 7:45pm AEST, CommBank Stadium, Sydney

Wallabies v New Zealand

Saturday 29 July, 7:45pm AEST, Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne

Wallabies v New Zealand

Saturday 5 August, 2:35pm NZST/12:35pm AEST, Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin

Tom Naghten

Tom Naghten Photo

Tom Naghten is a senior editor at The Sporting News Australia where he's been part of the team since 2017. He predominantly covers boxing and MMA. In his spare time, he likes to watch Robbie Ahmat's goal against the Kangaroos at the SCG in 2000.