Uncapped trio among 11 HSBC Waratahs named in Wallaby squad

Eleven HSBC Waratahs players have been selected for the 39-man Qantas Wallabies training squad ahead of the forthcoming internationals against Scotland and Wales next month.

 

Included for the first time are rising stars Bernard Foley and Kane Douglas, who earn call ups on the back of their consistent form so far this season.  Also selected is one of NSW’s standout performers of 2012, uncapped flanker Dave Dennis, who toured the UK last spring, and lock Sitaleki Timani, who made his debut for Australia against Samoa last season.

 

As well as providing the most players (11, alongside the Reds), the selection of seven of the HSBC Waratahs starting eight from Sunday’s match against the Cheetahs is a reflection of the strength of the NSW pack.

 

“Kane’s form for us throughout the season has been an absolute reflection of the hard work he put in during the pre-season and has continued to put in, undistracted, throughout the year,” said HSBC Waratahs Head Coach Michael Foley.  “His inclusion is just reward for that preparation and continued commitment.”

 

“Dave didn’t have that pre-season preparation (he was included in the Wallabies’ Spring Tour to the UK, starting in the non-cap XV that defeated the Barbarians by 60-11 at Twickenham) but the sacrifices he made, including training through Christmas, allowed him to come into the season in equally good form,” added the former Wallaby hooker. 

 

“He did an enormous amount of work in the pre-season and continues to perform right through the season.”

 

After rising to prominence in the light blue of NSW in the second half of last season, Sitaleki Timani made his mark on the international stage with a Test debut against Samoa last year.  Having played with Japanese club Canon Eagles through the off-season, Timani only joined his NSW team-mates in mid-February and despite considerable competition for second row positions, has already forced his way into the starting side. 

 

“Sita had a really challenging preparation coming into the season,” said Foley, “but he’s worked incredibly hard since he’s been here.  His two tries against the Cheetahs at the weekend were a great reflection of the amount of work he’s put in since his arrival.”

 

The Head Coach was also full of praise for talented 22-year-old fullback Bernard Foley, saying the best was yet to come. “Bernard has been outstanding for us.  But the most exciting thing is that he is probably still only playing at 70% of what he’s capable of. 

 

“He had a great opportunity early in the year and he made the most of it.  Another who’s benefitted from doing a full pre-season, having had the experience he’s had and being so young and working so hard, I believe there are still a lot of improvements in his game and that’s very exciting for him, for us and for the Wallabies.”

 

The NSW contingent, which also includes incumbents Adam Ashley-Cooper, Berrick Barnes, Rob Horne, Sekope Kepu, Wycliff Palu, Tatafu Polota-Nau and Benn Robinson, will join the Wallabies squad midweek, spending Wednesday with the national side before returning to the IBM Centre, Waratahs Rugby HQ, to prepare for Saturday’s FxPro Super Rugby round 15 home clash against the Hurricanes (Saturday June 2, Allianz Stadium).

 

The Wallabies kick off the 2012 international season a week on Tuesday with the first of four Castrol EDGE Rugby Internationals.  After  taking on Scotland in Newcastle (Qantas Wallabies v Scotland, Newcastle on June 5, kick off 7.30pm), they play three Tests against current Six Nations champions Wales, on successive Saturdays, culminating in the final Test at Sydney’s Allianz Stadium on June 23, kick off 3pm.