Rugby: Australia name World Cup squad

Australian fullback Israel Folau was one of 31 players named in the Wallabies World Cup squad.
Australian fullback Israel Folau was one of 31 players named in the Wallabies World Cup squad.
Australia coach Michael Cheika surprised by naming uncapped Melbourne Rebels prop Toby Smith and promising flanker Sean McMahon in his 31-man World Cup squad.

The pair have not featured in the 2015 international season, but may be thrust onto the game's biggest stage in England next month for the Wallabies' Pool A matches against Fiji, Wales, Uruguay and the hosts.

Loosehead prop Smith was born in Queensland but raised in New Zealand, where he was a member of the nation's 2008 under-20 world championship before winning two Super Rugby titles with the Chiefs.

His 21-year-old Melbourne team mate McMahon has played only three tests, but is a versatile back-rower who will be expected to battle incumbent Scott Fardy for the blindside position.

Cheika named Nick Phipps and Will Genia in the squad on Friday as his only two specialist scrumhalves, meaning the ACT Brumbies' Nic White has been cut.

Bernard Foley and Quade Cooper are the flyhalves, with Matt Toomua, Kurtley Beale and Matt Giteau, who can play scrumhalf if needed, the chosen inside backs.

Though giving 2011 World Cup captain James Horwill a run during the Rugby Championship, Cheika has omitted the Queensland Reds lock from his squad, opting for former Europe-based pair Dean Mumm and Kane Douglas along with Rob Simmons and Will Skelton in the second row.

Wingers Joe Tomane and Rob Horne were also selected, joining Fiji-born Henry Speight and France-based Drew Mitchell in the Wallabies' outside backs.

"Our primary focus throughout the Super Rugby competition, the Rugby Championship and Bledisloe Cup was to select a balanced squad between youth, experience and form and this squad certainly delivers on this," Cheika said in a media release.

"It's also important that we select a squad that will handle the tournament play and our draw in particular at the Rugby World Cup, as well as maintain a strong competition for places in the team."

Australia won the abridged Rugby Championship with three successive victories against South Africa, Argentina and New Zealand, but came down to earth with a thud last week after a mauling by the world champion All Blacks at Eden Park.

They play a final warm-up match against the United States in Chicago on September 5 before their World Cup opener against Pacific Nations Cup champions Fiji on September 23.

Another 10 players, including Horwill and White, will join the World Cup squad for a training camp in Indiana ahead of the US match.

Forwards - David Pocock, Scott Fardy, Michael Hooper, Rob Simmons, James Slipper, Sekope Kepu, Greg Holmes, Stephen Moore (captain), Tatafu Polota-Nau, Scott Sio, Will Skelton, Ben McCalman, Wycliff Palu, Sean McMahon, Kane Douglas, Toby Smith, Dean Mumm.

Backs - Israel Folau, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Drew Mitchell, Tevita Kuridrani, Matt Giteau, Bernard Foley, Quade Cooper, Matt Toomua, Kurtley Beale, Will Genia, Nick Phipps, Rob Horne, Henry Speight, Joe Tomane.

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