Wallabies announce vice-captains & Bledisloe Cup squad

Wallabies coach Michael Cheika has named experienced duo Will Genia and Bernard Foley as vice-captains ahead of the opening Bledisloe Cup clash against New Zealand at ANZ Stadium on August 19.

 

Foley will join Genia, who has already captained the Wallabies on four occasions, as they support the new appointment of Michael Hooper as the Australian captain. 

The 78-Test halfback was the 78th man to captain the Wallabies when he led Australia against the United States of America at the 2011 Rugby World Cup while Foley has blossomed in recent years as a veteran of 45 caps and is currently the fifth-highest Test points scorer in Wallabies history.

Meanwhile, Michael Cheika has also finalised his 34-man squad for the opening Bledisloe Cup Test, with the Wallabies coach naming seven uncapped players including Rugby League converts Marika Koroibete and Curtis Rona.

Western Force centre Billy Meakes has earned his first squad selection following an outstanding season in Vodafone Super Rugby, while young Melbourne hooker Jordan Uelese bolts into the squad after a standout World U20s Championships earlier this year. 

Uncapped Reds trio Izack Rodda, Adam Korczyk and Izaia Perese will also press for selection in Cheika's matchday 23, with the squad to assemble in Cessnock, New South Wales this Sunday.

Wallabies 34-man squad for the opening two Bledisloe Cup Tests

Forwards

Allan Alaalatoa, 12 Tests, Brumbies
Rory Arnold, 12 Tests, Brumbies
Adam Coleman, 12 Tests, Western Force
Jack Dempsey, 1 Test, NSW Waratahs
Kane Douglas, 31 Tests, Queensland Reds
Tetera Faulkner, 2 Tests, Western Force
Ned Hanigan, 3 Tests, NSW Waratahs
Michael Hooper (c), 68 Tests, NSW Waratahs
Sekope Kepu, 80 Tests, NSW Waratahs
Adam Korczyk*, Queensland Reds
Sean McMahon, 15 Tests, Melbourne Rebels
Stephen Moore, 120 Tests, Queensland Reds
Tatafu Polota-Nau, 71 Tests, Western Force
Tom Robertson, 9 Tests, NSW Waratahs
Izack Rodda*, Queensland Reds
Rob Simmons, 71 Tests, Queensland Reds
Scott Sio, 32 Tests, Brumbies
Lopeti Timani, 7 Tests, Melbourne Rebels
Jordan Uelese*, Melbourne Rebels

Backs

Kurtley Beale, 60 Tests, NSW Waratahs
Israel Folau, 55 Tests, NSW Waratahs
Bernard Foley (vc), 45 Tests, NSW Waratahs
Will Genia (vc), 78 Tests
Dane Haylett-Petty, 17 Tests, Western Force
Reece Hodge, 13 Tests, Melbourne Rebels
Samu Kerevi, 8 Tests, Queensland Reds
Marika Koroibete*, Melbourne Rebels
Tevita Kuridrani, 47 Tests, Brumbies
Billy Meakes*, Western Force
Izaia Perese*, Queensland Reds
Nick Phipps, 52 Tests, NSW Waratahs
Joe Powell, 2 Tests, Brumbies
Curtis Rona*, Western Force
Henry Speight, 12 Tests, Brumbies