Rugby’s thrilling showpiece against Fiji to feature 18 players making their debut
Japan will be Hooper’s second appearance at rugby’s showpiece while 18 players are set for their Rugby World Cup debut.
At the other end of the spectrum, Adam Ashley-Cooper will play in his fourth Rugby World Cup becoming just the second Wallaby to ever do so after George Gregan. Ashley-Cooper has played in 17 Rugby World Cup matches, just five games behind all-time leaders Jason Leonard and Richie McCaw.
Only one uncapped player is in the squad with boom rookie Jordan Petaia included in the 31-man group. The 19-year old missed most of the 2019 Vodafone Super Rugby season following a Lisfranc injury but has since recovered to full fitness.
Wallabies coach Michael Cheika thanked all of the players who have contributed to the Wallabies’ Rugby Championship and Bledisloe Cup campaigns this season.
He said it was a very difficult process picking only 31 players, but he was sure that each player selected would have the full support of those team mates who weren’t on board the flight.
“We have worked really hard at building each week and each game so far this season, and play a brand of Rugby that Australia would be proud of and get every player contributing towards the outcome,” he said.
The Wallabies will play their opening match of Pool D against Fiji at Sapporo Dome, Sapporo on September 21, followed by Wales at Ajinomoto Stadium in Tokyo eight days later.
The second Pool match against Wales will be Australia’s 50th Rugby World Cup match, becoming just the second country to achieve the milestone after New Zealand. The Wallabies will then take on Uruguay and Georgia in Oita and Shizuoka on October 5 and October 11, respectively.