What's happened
The Wallabies have named a 34-man squad for their upcoming four-Test tour of the UK, featuring three uncapped players, including Joseph Suaalii. Coach Joe Schmidt emphasizes integrating new talent while maintaining a consistent core group. The tour marks the 40th anniversary of Australia's Grand Slam victory.
Why it matters
What the papers say
According to The Guardian, coach Joe Schmidt stated, "We have a relatively consistent group but will integrate a few new players on tour," highlighting the balance he seeks between experience and youth. The Independent notes that the squad includes 14 capped players, emphasizing Schmidt's strategy to rejuvenate the team while maintaining a solid foundation. The articles also mention the absence of key players like Marika Koroibete and Tom Lynagh, which could impact the team's performance. Overall, the selection reflects a commitment to both immediate results and long-term development.
How we got here
The Wallabies are preparing for a significant tour, marking 40 years since their Grand Slam achievement in 1984. Coach Joe Schmidt aims to rejuvenate the squad after a challenging World Cup campaign, integrating new players while retaining experienced ones.
More on these topics
-
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It is bordered by the Irish Sea to the north and west, England to the east, the Bristol Channel to the south, and the Celtic Sea to the south-west. As of 2021, it had a population of 3.2 million.
-
Ireland is an island in the North Atlantic. It is separated from Great Britain to its east by the North Channel, the Irish Sea, and St George's Channel.
-
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Covering the northern third of the island of Great Britain, mainland Scotland has a 96 mile border with England to the southeast and is otherwise surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean to the north and w
-
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Wales to its west and Scotland to its north. The Irish Sea lies northwest of England and the Celtic Sea to the southwest. England is separated from continental Europe by
-
Australia, officially known as the Commonwealth of Australia, is a sovereign country comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands.
-
William "Will" Skelton is an Australian rugby union footballer, who plays as a lock for La Rochelle in the French Top 14 competition.
-
Samu Kerevi is a Fijian-born Australian rugby union player currently playing for Suntory Sungoliath in the Japanese Top League. His usual position is centre. He previously played for the Queensland Reds in Super Rugby and has played for the Australian nat