

Besides, there is enough size and form among the five players above to feel relatively comfortable before the England series.

Second-rowers (5): Matt Philip (Rebels), Jed Holloway (Waratahs), Nick Frost (Brumbies), Darcy Swain (Brumbies), Izack Rodda (Force) There’s no Rory Arnold, who could probably use a few weeks off before coming into contention for The Rugby Championship. There is no room for Rory Arnold in Paul Cully’s Wallabies squad. Moana Pasifika could use him, but where would that leave his Test future? Scott Sio was in my squad until it was announced that he was leaving the Brumbies. He’s been a bit wild since his return, but his obvious desire to get into the faces of the New Zealand sides is a selling point. Props (5): Taniela Tupou (Reds), Allan Alaalatoa (Brumbies), Harry Johnson-Holmes (Waratahs), James Slipper (Brumbies), Angus Bell (Waratahs) Straightforward selections, although a line shouldn’t be drawn through the Rebels’ Pone Fa’amausili. Porecki should start – he’s tough and accurate – but it’s also time to find out if the Wallabies ‘Dane Coles’ projects can cut it Lonergan has clearly improved his physicality this year. Feleti Kaitu’u’s form, meanwhile, has plummeted this year – perhaps the Western Force captaincy has been a bit of a burden. Hookers (3): Dave Porecki (Waratahs), Lachlan Lonergan (Brumbies), Billy Pollard (Brumbies) Despite all his obvious qualities, it’s becoming too hard to reward Folau Fainga’a, who still hasn’t rectified his tackle technique. Dave Porecki has been in strong form for NSW.
