PENPIX OF THE 2015 WALLABIES RUGBY WORLD CUP SQUAD
FORWARDS
Hookers
Stephen Moore (capt)
Age: 32 Caps 96
Nicknamed “Squeak,” Moore is Australia’s most consistent front rower of the past decade and is sure to lead by by example with his high work rate.
Tatafu Polota-Nau
Age: 30 Caps: 54
Almost too brave for his own good at times, Polota-Nau has suffered several bouts of concussion, but gives opposing teams plenty of headaches with his wholehearted play.
Props
Greg Holmes
Age: 32 Caps: 18
Holmes has enjoyed an amazing career revival, forcing his way back into the squad after almost eight years to earn a second World cup gig.
Sekope Kepu
Age: 29 Caps: 56
A consistent performer for province and country, Kepu has been a starter in 20 of his last 21 Tests.
Scott Sio
Age: 23 Caps: 10
One of the most exciting front rowers to emerge in Australian rugby in recent years, Sio is the second generation of his family to go to a World Cup after his father was part of Samoa’s 1991 squad.
James Slipper
Age: 26 Caps: 68
A key member of the Wallabies front row for the past two years, Slipper’s status was underlined when he captained Australia against the United States in their last Test before the World Cup.
Toby Smith
Age: 26 Caps: 1
Australian-born but learnt his rugby craft in New Zealand, Smith is the bolter of the squad and made his Test debut off the bench against the US.
Locks
Kane Douglas
Age: 26 Caps: 16
Rocketed back into World Cup calculations after cutting short a stint with Irish powerhouse Leinster, Douglas is a valuable workhorse and lineout option.
Dean Mumm
Age: 31 Caps: 37
Like Douglas, came back from overseas and made a successful last-ditch bid to earn World Cup selection, returning to the Test scene after almost five years away.
Rob Simmons
Age: 26 Caps: 53
The linchpin of Australia’s lineout, Simmons has become an increasingly influential member of the Wallabies pack and their main second row starter of the past two years.
Will Skelton
Age: 23 Caps: 12
A towering figure who blends aggression with ball skills, Skelton has been used primarily as an impact player off the bench with just four starts so far.
Backrowers
Scott Fardy
Age: 31 Caps: 24
A late bloomer who didn’t make his Test debut until he was 29, Fardy is the hard working, no fuss quiet achiever of the backrow, who has started all but the first of his 24 Tests.
Michael Hooper
Age: 23 Caps: 46
Poised to bring up a half century of Test caps at the World Cup before his 24th birthday, Hooper has the speed and the engine to change any match with a big play at any stage of the game.
Ben McCalman
Age: 27 Caps: 41
A reliable and consistent backrow performer, McCalman has made his second World Cup team but will battle to earn a start in the big games.
Sean McMahon
Age: 21 Caps: 4
One of the rising stars of Australian rugby, a dynamic and versatile
all-action backrower who was recently named Wallabies rookie of the Year.
Wycliff Palu
Age: 33 Caps: 56
Selected for his third World Cup “Cliffy” is capable of big carries in attack and big hits in defence, though he was nursed through the first part of the Wallabies Rugby Championship program this year.
David Pocock
Age: 27 Caps: 50
A classic ball-pilfering fetcher who is a constant menace to opposing sides at the breakdown, Pocock has made a triumphant return to Wallabies colours after serious knee injuries kept him out of Test rugby in 2013 and 2014.
Backs
Halfbacks
Will Genia
Age: 27 Caps: 60
The first choice halfback at the last World Cup, Genia has sometimes struggled for form and fitness in the intervening years but his experience and savvy still make him a potentially dangerous customer.
Nick Phipps
Age: 26 Caps: 32
Has been the starting halfback for most of the last year, a good cover defender and solid performer.
Five-eighths
Quade Cooper
Age: 27 Caps: 57
One of the great enigmas of Australian and international rugby, Cooper can change a match with a piece of sublime piece or a horrid error.
Bernard Foley
Age: 26 Caps: 21
The first choice five-eighth for most of the past year, Foley mixes up the play well and is likely to be one of the main goalkickers, if he starts.
Inside backs
Kurtley Beale
Age: 26 Caps: 53
Capable of turning a match in a trice, Beale started five games at fullback at the last World Cup, but is now more of a bench utility back since Israel Folau locked up the No.15 jersey.
Matt Giteau
Age: 32 Caps: 96
Back in the fold for a third World Cup after missing the 2011 tournament and enduring a four-year absence from Test rugby, Giteau has yet to exercise the influence on the team of his glory years but remains a potential threat at inside centre and five-eighth.
Matt Toomua
Age: 25 Caps: 25
A hard running, strong defensive player who has played most of his Tests at inside centre but can also play five-eighth.
Adam Ashley-Cooper
Age: 31 Caps: 108
The ultimate utility back, who is currently berthed on the wing, AAC remains an indispensable part of the Wallabies side heading into a third World Cup. Scored a try in each of Australia’s three rugby Championship matches this year.
Israel Folau
Age: 26 Caps 33
The X-factor player in the squad and the one the Wallabies could least afford to lose to injury, Folau can both score and create tries with his elusive and powerful running.
Rob Horne
Age: 26 Caps: 27
A reliable and consistent customer who has established himself as a winger in recent times, but can also play both centre positions.
Drew Mitchell
Age: 31 Caps: 65
Averages almost a try every other Test, Mitchell is a handy addition to the squad after being one of the beneficiaries of the recent relaxation in the eligibility rules for overseas based players.
Henry Speight
Age: 27 Caps: 4
An exciting player and potential match winner, Fijian-born Speight is still to establish himself at Test level.
Joe Tomane
Age: 25 Caps: 16
Former rugby league star Tomane is still trying to cement a regular Test starting spot in his fourth season in the 15-a-side code.
Tevita Kuridrani
Age: 24 Caps: 24
A strong running line bending player, Kuridrani has entrenched himself as the Wallabies first-choice outside centre over the past two years.
