NFL mystery hovers over Wallabies winners and losers

There is plenty to sift through after Joe Schmidt named a Wallabies squad containing just 14 survivors from the wreckage of the 2023 Rugby World Cup.

Schmidt's first squad did not include any overseas based stars such as Marika Koroibete or Will Skelton and, as expected, NRL bound duo Carter Gordon and Mark Nawaqanitawase were left out.

Here are the biggest winners and losers from the 38 strong squad that is preparing for Australia's first Test of 2024 against Wales in Sydney on July 6.

Watch all the action from the July Wallabies Tests against Wales and Georgia, with every match ad free, live and on demand on Stan Sport

Kurtley Beale scores the match winning try at Millennium Stadium.

WINNERS

Kurtley Beale

It was widely assumed that Beale's 95 Test career was over when he was stood down by Rugby Australia and the Waratahs following rape charges last year.

But Beale was found not guilty in February and returned to Super Rugby with the Force in April.

Now 35, Beale hasn't played for the Wallabies since 2021 but offers experience and versatility to Schmidt's squad.

"Kurtley's played well. Feedback from the Force has been really positive about his influence," Schmidt said on Friday.

"It also takes a bit of pressure off one person being the hub to see everything that needs to be seen. Game sense, it's hard to coach that. He just sees the game. Sometimes I think as players get older, they see it, but maybe struggle to land it. But he's been landing it pretty well."

David Feliuai of the Rebels charges forward.

David Feliuai

The Rebels centre is one of 13 uncapped players, along with Angus Blyth, Charlie Cale, Alex Hodgman, Isaac Kailea, Josh Nasser, Ryan Smith, Jeremy Williams, Josh Flook, Darby Lancaster, Tom Lynagh, Dylan Pietsch and Hamish Stewart.

But Feliuai is perhaps the biggest bolter, surprisingly earning selection ahead of NSW's Lalakai Foketi.

Known for his stinging defence, the 27-year-old was born in Auckland, grew up in Brisbane and attended the NFL International Combine in 2018.

Feliuai's rugby journey also included a stint playing for Stiinta Baia Mare.

"The club he was with over in Romania for a couple of years sits under the castle of Transylvania. It's just the wildest shit you could ever imagine," Stan Sport commentator Sean Maloney said on Between Two Posts.

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Charlie Cale

Brumbies captain Allan Alaalatoa tipped Cale as his club's breakout player of 2024 and he was bang on the money.

The 23-year-old Dubbo product is a Stephen Hoiles style of No.8 with his game based on skill, speed and lineout ability.

Wallabies legend Tim Horan believes Cale will need to add some bulk to his frame to handle the rigours of Test rugby but his potential is enticing.

"Any forward that can kick and score - always going to be a fan," Randwick coach Hoiles said on Between Two Posts following an eye catching game.

"I've been watching him for a while. You can tell he's bigger, he's fitter, he's fast. Outstanding but people that have known his game for a long period of time - they're not surprised by that."

Jordan Petaia of Australia is tackled by Miriani Modebadze of Georgia.

LOSERS

Jordan Petaia

Petaia loomed as potentially one of the great Wallabies when he starred at the 2019 Rugby World Cup as a teenager.

But his struggles since have mirrored Australian rugby's as a whole with injury and inconsistency plaguing his career.

The 24-year-old had surgery on his shoulder in April but tellingly was not listed among Wallabies candidates - including Angus Bell, Max Jorgensen and Dave Porecki - that were unavailable for selection because of injury.

Petaia is off contract with Rugby Australia at the end of the season and has been linked with potential moves to both the NFL and NRL.

The outside back has reportedly spoken to NFL International Player Pathway officials about following the lead of star Wales winger Louis Rees-Zammit - now on the books of the Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs.

Suliasi Vunivalu of Australia is tackled by George North of Wales.

Suliasi Vunivalu

The former NRL star was the most contentious Eddie Jones selection for last year's Rugby World Cup after some indifferent Super Rugby form.

That form line has continued in 2024 and was summed up by a horror homecoming in Suva last month.

Vunivalu was, incredibly, guilty of two blatant foot trips on try-bound Drua players and referee Angus Gardner had no other option but to issue a red card.

The 28-year-old then slipped out of the Reds starting line-up with youngsters Tim Ryan and Mac Grealy preferred.

Uncapped Rebels flyer Darby Lancaster has leapfrogged him in the national pecking order while Brumbies jet Corey Toole is focusing on the Olympics.

Darcy Swain of the Wallabies receives a red card.

Darcy Swain

Schmidt name checked Brumbies duo Swain and Ryan Lonergan as the unluckiest players to miss out on selection.

Swain's Test career has been marred by ill discipline but he has improved in that area this season and filled in as Brumbies captain.

"Darcy Swain, he's done a great job calling lineouts and running the lineout for the Brumbies, which is a really strong lineout," Schmidt said.

"That's a good thing, though. You know, if the decisions are tough, then hopefully we've got a squad that has a little bit of depth to it."

Nick Frost and Lukhan Salakaia-Loto appeal as the strongest second row option at Schmidt's disposal while uncapped locking trio Angus Blyth, Ryan Smith and Jeremy Williams also made the cut.

https://twitter.com/StanSportRugby/status/1803956276981887157?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

WALLABIES SQUAD

Forwards: Allan Alaalatoa, Angus Blyth, Charlie Cale, Matt Faessler, Nick Frost, Langi Gleeson, Alex Hodgman, Tom Hooper, Isaac Kailea, Fraser McReight, Josh Nasser, Zane Nonggorr, Billy Pollard, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Ryan Smith, James Slipper, Taniela Tupou, Rob Valetini, Jeremy Williams, Harry Wilson, Liam Wright

Backs: Kurtley Beale, Filipo Daugunu, Ben Donaldson, David Feliuai, Josh Flook, Jake Gordon, Len Ikitau, Andrew Kellaway, Darby Lancaster, Noah Lolesio, Tom Lynagh, Tate McDermott, Hunter Paisami, Dylan Pietsch, Hamish Stewart, Nic White, Tom Wright

JULY SCHEDULE

July 6 vs Wales at Allianz Stadium, Sydney

July 13 vs Wales at AAMI Park, Melbourne

July 20 vs Georgia at Allianz Stadium, Sydney