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Sunday 20 May 2007
WALLABY LEGENDS SET FOR FINAL LAP AS THE QANTAS WALLABIES SQUAD FOR THE 2007 BUNDABERG RUM RUGBY SERIES IS ANNOUNCED
Two of Australia’s sporting icons are preparing for an emotional farewell to Australian rugby fans as the Qantas Wallabies squad for the 2007 Bundaberg Rum Rugby Series was announced in Sydney today.
George Gregan and Stephen Larkham will play their final matches in Australia this winter en route to a Rugby World Cup swansong in France in September and October.
The scrumbase duo has earned legendary status in rugby after a combined 26 years of International experience along with 222 Test caps.
Gregan, 34, and Larkham, who turns 33 in nine days, are the two most senior members of a 30-man Qantas Wallabies squad which features four players uncapped at Test level.
Qantas Wallabies Coach John Connolly said that the two departing veterans were deserving of a hero’s reception as they make their way through Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne and Perth for their final matches across the country.
“There’s no doubt that we are seeing the end of two outstanding careers and rugby supporters and sporting fans around the country will rally to pay tribute to two of the game’s greatest ever players,” said Connolly.
“A series win over Wales and a Tri Nations victory would provide a fitting farewell for George and Stephen as they play their final season in Australia before embarking on the World Cup,” he said.
Reds lock James Horwill, Brumbies utility Julian Huxley, Western Force flyer Digby Ioane and Waratahs back Sam Norton-Knight will be out to earn their first Wallaby jerseys during the nine-match 2007 Bundaberg Rum Rugby Series program.
For the first time ever the Qantas Wallabies will have joint captains during the series, with Waratahs captain Phil Waugh and Brumbies skipper Stirling Mortlock named as co-captains of the Wallabies. The announcement comes as Mortlock celebrates his 30th birthday today.
Both Mortlock and Waugh made their captaincy debut for the Wallabies last year, with Mortlock leading the team on four occasions and Waugh running the team out against Wales in Cardiff on the Spring Tour.
The Wallabies will play matches against Wales (2) and Fiji, before renewing their Tri Nations rivalry with New Zealand and South Africa.
The talented and youthful 30-man squad includes 13 players under the age of 25, while 50 per cent of the squad has played 10 or fewer Tests.
Connolly maintained that a successful domestic season was a priority for his team.
“Everything we do between now and September is geared towards our over-arching goal to win the World Cup,” said Connolly.
“But first we have a tough domestic season ahead of us and we are very much focused on a successful campaign. The Tri Nations is of vital importance and we are looking to get the edge on Wales ahead of our meeting at the World Cup in September,” he said.
Meanwhile, a 25-man Australia A squad was announced for the iRB Pacific Nations Cup, which kicks off on May 26.
Brumbies lock Alister Campbell has been named captain of Australia A, after leading the team on two occasions in 2006.
Australia A will play matches against Tonga, Samoa, Japan, the Junior All Blacks and Fiji and will be coached by Brumbies mentor Laurie Fisher.
30-man Qantas Wallabies squad for the 2007 Bundaberg Rum Rugby Series
(players listed alphabetically)
Adam Ashley-Cooper
Alistair Baxter
Mark Chisholm
Matt Dunning
Rocky Elsom
Adam Freier
Mark Gerrard
Matt Giteau
George Gregan
Stephen Hoiles
James Horwill,
Julian Huxley
Digby Ioane
Stephen Larkham
David Lyons
Hugh McMeniman
Drew Mitchell
Stephen Moore
Stirling Mortlock (c)
Sam Norton-Knight
Wycliff Palu
Benn Robinson
Nathan Sharpe
Cameron Shepherd
Guy Shepherdson
George Smith
Scott Staniforth
Lote Tuqiri
Dan Vickerman
Phil Waugh (c).
25-man Australia A squad for the iRB Pacific Nations Cup
(players listed alphabetically)
Berrick Barnes, Kurtley Beale, Rodney Blake, Will Caldwell, Alister Campbell (c), Sam Cordingley, Ryan Cross, Gene Fairbanks, Gareth Hardy, Nic Henderson, Peter Hewat, Josh Holmes, Dean Mumm, Jeremy Paul, Junior Pelesasa, David Pocock, Tatafu Polota-Nau, David Pusey, Julian Salvi, Haig Sare, Clinton Schifcofske, Troy Takiari, Jone Tawake, Lachie Turner, Adam Wallace-Harrison.
Players excluded from the selection pool due to injury: Mitchell Chapman, Quade Cooper, Greg Holmes, Peter Hynes, Chris Latham, Clyde Rathbone, Morgan Turinui.
The 30-man Qantas Wallabies squad assembled yesterday at the Manly Pacific Hotel to begin preparations for the opening Test against Wales at Telstra Stadium in Sydney on Saturday 26 May, while the 25-man Australia A squad assembles today at the Crowne Plaza, Coogee.
The 2007 Bundaberg Rum Rugby Series and iRB Pacific Nations Cup Draws are available at the following links:
2007 Bundaberg Rum Rugby Series
http://rugby.com.au/fixtures_results...ndar,1292.html
2007 iRB Pacific Nations Cup
http://rugby.com.au/fixtures_results...ing,50815.html
Qantas Wallabies 30-man squad notes:
- 50% (15) of the squad members are aged under 25.
- 13 squad members have played in 10 or fewer Tests.
- The average age of the squad is 25.8 years.
- Digby Ioane is the youngest squad member, 46 days younger than fellow 21 year old James Horwill.
- George Gregan is the oldest squad member at 34.
- Julian Huxley, 27, is the oldest of four uncapped players in the squad.
- George Gregan’s 127 Test caps is the most by any player in the history of the game
Was the wait worth it - Ya betta baby 
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