Jones reveals AFL link behind huge Wallabies call

1 year ago 161

Wallabies manager Eddie Jones has revealed that helium consulted Sydney Swans brag John Longmire earlier settling connected a co-captaincy exemplary for the 2023 Test season.

Jones made past connected Sunday by naming Test centurions Michael Hooper and James Slipper arsenic co-captains up of the Rugby Championship and Rugby World Cup.

The Chiefs, who mislaid Saturday's Super Rugby Pacific final, usage the aforesaid exemplary under co-captains Sam Cane and Brad Weber - and it is besides acquainted territory for the Swans.

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Michael Hooper and James Slipper of the Wallabies sing the nationalist anthem. (Getty)

"Last Wednesday mate, I went retired and spent the time astatine Sydney Swans with John Longmire," Jones told Nine's Sports Sunday.

"And they've got a contented of having co-captaincy, you know, they've had up to 8 captains, they've had 3 captains and I conscionable wanted to delve down into the country of the advantages, of the disadvantages.

"And I deliberation with Slips and Hoops, we screen the scope of the squad. Both person got a somewhat antithetic attack to leadership, some person got a somewhat antithetic attack to the mode they play the game.

"And I deliberation unneurotic they tin beryllium a truly beardown captaincy group."

Slipper led the Wallabies astatine the extremity of 2022 aft Hooper returned location from the Rugby Championship to prioritise his intelligence health.

"Two players with immense experience," Wallabies large Drew Mitchell said.

James Slipper lifts the Hopetoun Cup. (Getty)

"That astir apt speaks to those some being older guys, but besides won't astir apt play each Test match. But besides conscionable players that link to the wider radical arsenic well."

Jones said it had "probably been 1 of the hardest squads I've had to select."

There are 8 uncapped players in Carter Gordon, Josh Kemeny, Matt Faessler, Zane Nonggorr, Tom Hooper, Ryan Lonergan, Dylan Pietsch and Richie Arnold.

Wallabies manager Eddie Jones watches Carter Gordon. (Getty)

The large sanction omissions see Bernard Foley, James O'Connor, Harry Wilson, Cadeyrn Neville, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Hunter Paisami, Ned Hanigan and Lachlan Lonergan.

"I've been truly impressed by the enactment ethic and cognition of the players and truthful determination was a fig of positions that were tight. The backrow was tight, standoff was tight, halfbacks was tight," Jones said.

"So there's been a fewer sleepless nights... you tin lone person truthful galore players and we're fortunate successful Australia to person specified depth. I tin beryllium present comfortably and accidental that we've picked the champion squad to correspond Australia."

WALLABIES SQUAD

Forwards: Allan Alaalatoa, Richie Arnold, Matt Faessler, Nick Frost, Matt Gibbon, Jed Holloway, Michael Hooper, Tom Hooper, Rob Leota, Fraser McReight, Zane Nonggorr, Dave Porecki, Pete Samu, Will Skelton, James Slipper, 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

Utilities: Ben Donaldson, Josh Kemeny, Dylan Pietsch

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