“Wallabies Wow the Rugby World with Captaincy Curveball and Surprising Squad Selections”

Wallabies World Cup Captaincy Shock: Veteran Stars Miss Out as New-Look Squad is Unveiled

In a surprising move, Wallabies coach Eddie Jones has left out former captain Michael Hooper and veteran playmaker Quade Cooper from his new-look World Cup squad. The 33-player squad, which includes 25 first-time World Cup attendees, was officially announced ahead of their journey to France.

Youthful Squad and New Captain

One of the major changes in the squad is the appointment of giant lock Will Skelton as the captain, filling the void left by the omission of Hooper and Allan Alaalatoa, who suffered an achilles injury. Jones expressed his confidence in the youthful squad, stating that they had earned their spots and could surprise the world.

“I’ve backed the young blokes because they earned it. Simple as that. 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. We’re in a good place,” Jones said.

The coach’s unwavering belief in the potential of the squad is evident in his statement: “The experts have written us off. No one believes we can do it, but we believe. The coaches believe, the players believe, and that’s all that matters.”

The End of an Era for Hooper

The exclusion of Hooper marks the end of an era for the Wallabies. With a staggering 125 Tests under his belt, Hooper has been a key figure in the team for many years. Unfortunately, a lingering calf injury resulted in his omission from the World Cup squad, despite being the nation’s longest-serving captain.

James Slipper, who was named co-captain just a few months ago, is also in the squad but has been removed from a leadership role. Instead, halfback Tate McDermott, who captained the Wallabies against the All Blacks in Dunedin, has been chosen as vice-captain to Skelton.

A New Direction: Jones’s Veterans Clean-Out

Jones’s new squad selection signifies a clean-out of veterans, with Hooper, Cooper, Reece Hodge, Tom Wright, and Jed Holloway all missing out on World Cup selection. Despite losing all four Tests at the beginning of his second stint as head coach, Jones remains confident that his team can pull off a surprise victory in the World Cup.

“It’s a young squad, it’s an exciting squad, and it will be a successful squad. We are making good progress,” Jones stated. “Our challenge is to continue to improve, to get a little bit better every day in everything we do on and off the field. In Australian rugby, we have the talent, but we don’t yet have the team. That’s still the case, but we are getting there, and I’m backing that we will surprise a few people.”

The World Cup Challenge

Jones acknowledges that tournament rugby is different from competition rugby, with upsets and surprises being a common occurrence. He emphasizes the importance of all teams starting from the same place and having the same opportunity. While the Wallabies have faced initial challenges, Jones believes that the team is improving and will continue to do so.

Participating in a World Cup is a rare privilege, and Jones hopes to build excitement and expectation similar to what the Matildas have achieved in women’s soccer. He emphasizes the need for every squad member to give their best effort every day, stating, “We want to build that same type of excitement, that same kind of expectation, and the way we will do it is by everyone in the squad giving their best effort every day. We can’t wait.”

New Faces and Uncapped Players

The Wallabies World Cup squad features several new faces, with 16 players aged under 25 and 25 players attending their first World Cup. Additionally, Jones has selected three uncapped players, including 18-year-old winger Max Jorgensen, who had initially suffered a knee injury. The other uncapped players are 27-year-old halfback Issak Fines-Leleiwasa and Brumbies prop Blake Schoupp.

Meanwhile, rookie fly-half Carter Gordon will be the lone No.10, retaining his place as first-choice under Jones. The experienced Cooper has been cast aside, despite his return to the Wallabies set-up under Dave Rennie last year.

A World Cup Gamble: Will Skelton as Captain

Perhaps the biggest gamble in Jones’s World Cup squad selection is the appointment of Will Skelton as the captain. The 140kg giant has only played 28 Tests since his debut in 2014 and has spent much of his career playing club rugby in Europe. Skelton, who still plays for French champions La Rochelle, was one of Jones’s “Giteau’s Law” picks, allowing him to select players who don’t play their club rugby in Australia.

Preparation and Expectations

The Wallabies squad is currently in a four-day training camp in the Northern Territory before returning to Sydney and then flying out to Europe. With no wins leading up to the tournament, the team will have a practice match against France at the Stade de France before their opening match against Georgia in Paris on September 9.

As the Wallabies gear up for the World Cup, Jones’s message is clear: continue to improve and give their best effort every day. The belief in the squad’s potential and the desire to surprise their critics is driving the team forward.