Ewen McKenzie has made his first big selection axing by dumping veteran prop Benn Robinson from the Wallabies’ 30-man squad for next weekend’s Bledisloe Cup Test against the All Blacks.
Loosehead Robinson started all three Tests against the British and Irish Lions in Australia’s recent 2-1 series loss but has been overlooked with McKenzie preferring dynamic youngsters Scott Sio and James Slipper.
Back-rower Dave Dennis and back-up halfback Nick Phipps, both in Robbie Deans’ 31-man squad against the Lions, have also been chopped ahead of next Saturday night’s clash at Sydney’s ANZ Stadium.
It’s the second time this year that 59-Test Robinson, one of the Australia’s most-capped front-rowers, has felt the selection axe after he was dropped by NSW coach Michael Cheika at the start of the Super Rugby season.
“It’s unfortunate that a number of good players missed out, although this isn’t necessarily a case of poor performance but rather a reflection of some of the quality we have coming through in Australian Rugby right now,” McKenzie said.
“For the moment, though, we’ve narrowed our way down to a group of players we believe are capable of getting the job done against the All Blacks in just over a week.
“That doesn’t mean the players chosen won’t change in the future and that those who have missed out this time will be forgotten.”
McKenzie has retained both uncapped five-eighths Matt Toomua and Bernard Foley as they battle Quade Cooper for the right to wear the No.10 jersey against New Zealand.
The coach included Toomua and Foley alongside six other potential Test debutants – Sio, hooker-prop Albert Anae, lock-flanker Scott Fardy, No.8 Jake Schatz, centre Tevita Kuridrani and halfback Nic White.
“We don’t need to make a decision publicly about the playmaking role until one hour before the game,” said McKenzie, who is keen to keep the world champion All Blacks guessing.
“The reality is not one player in the current squad has lifted up the Bledisloe Cup before, but if they are good enough over seven days and two matches, then this will change.”
The squad has an average age of just under 25 years old, with hooker Stephen Moore the only player 30 or above.
Moore’s Brumbies (11) have the most representatives, a reward for reaching the Super Rugby final, while Queensland have nine, NSW six, the Western Force three and the off-contract James O’Connor is the only Melbourne Rebel from this season.
Wallabies 30-man squad: James Horwill (capt), Albert Anae, Ben Alexander, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Quade Cooper, Nick Cummins, Kane Douglas, Saia Faingaa, Scott Fardy, Israel Folau, Bernard Foley, Will Genia, Liam Gill, Michael Hooper, Sekope Kepu, Tevita Kuridrani, Christian Lealiifano, Ben McCalman, Hugh McMeniman, Jesse Mogg, Stephen Moore, Ben Mowen, James O’Connor, Jake Schatz, Rob Simmons, Scott Sio, James Slipper, Joe Tomane, Matt Toomua, Nic White.