All Black Hodgman named in Schmidt's first Wallabies squad
SYDNEY - Prop Alex Hodgman is set to become the first player in the professional era to represent both New Zealand and Australia after being named in the Wallabies squad for July tests against Wales and Georgia on Friday.
The loosehead played four tests for the All Blacks in 2020 and qualifies for the Wallabies through his Fijian-Australian father after moving to the Queensland Reds this year.
The 30-year-old was one of 21 forwards included in Joe Schmidt's first Wallabies squad since the New Zealander took over as coach in the wake of the departure of Eddie Jones.
Schmidt has been charged with turning around the Wallabies in time for next year's British and Irish Lions tour after they won only two of nine tests and crashed out of the pool stage of the World Cup for the first time under Jones last year.
"We've combined the observations we've made, with some candid discussion and feel that we have some very good players to start working with," Schmidt said in a news release.
Noah Lolesio, left out of the World Cup squad by Jones, was one beneficiary of the new regime, named alongside Ben Donaldson and rookie Tom Lynagh at flyhalf after a strong Super Rugby season with the ACT Brumbies.
Also returning to the fold after missing out on the World Cup are scrumhalf Jake Gordon, loose forward Harry Wilson and fullback Tom Wright.
Thirteen uncapped players were included in the bumper 38-man squad, which will gather for a four-day camp in Brisbane on Sunday.
They included Lynagh, son of Wallabies great Michael, and hooker Josh Nasser, whose flanker father Brendan played eight tests for Australia in the late 1980s and early 1990s.
At the other end of the spectrum, experienced utility back Kurtley Beale has been given a chance to add to his 95 test caps after reviving his career at the Western Force this season in the wake of his acquittal on sexual assault charges.
Schmidt included no overseas-based players and left out winger Mark Nawaqanitawase and flyhalf Carter Gordon, who were both starters at the World Cup last year but are off to rugby league for next season.
Hodgman was one of six props named in the squad and could become the fourth player to play tests for the All Blacks and the Wallabies after Ted Jessep in the 1930s, Des Connor in the 1950s and Owen Stephens the 1960s and early 1970s.
Australia play Wales in Sydney on July 6 and Melbourne a week later before a one-off test against the Georgians back in the harbour city on July 20.
Australia squad:
Forwards: Matt Faessler, Billy Pollard, Josh Nasser, James Slipper, Allan Alaalatoa, Taniela Tupou, Zane Nonggorr, Alex Hodgman, Isaac Kailea, Nick Frost, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Angus Blyth, Ryan Smith, Rob Valetini, Fraser McReight, Charlie Cale, Tom Hooper, Jeremy Williams, Liam Wright, Langi Gleeson, Harry Wilson.
Backs: Nic White, Jake Gordon, Tate McDermott, Noah Lolesio, Tom Lynagh, Ben Donaldson, Hunter Paisami, Len Ikitau, Filipo Daugunu, Josh Flook, Hamish Stewart, David Feliuai, Tom Wright, Andrew Kellaway, Dylan Pietsch, Darby Lancaster, Kurtley Beale. REUTERS