"We want to change the Wallabies," Jones said.<\/p>\n
Watch the 2023 Rugby Championship and Rugby World Cup on the home of rugby, Stan Sport.<\/strong><\/em> All matches streaming ad free, live and on demand<\/strong><\/em><\/a><\/p>\n "The combination of character and style between Hoops and Slips and you don't get two more experienced players in world rugby. So that's a big advantage for us … we want to do things differently but better."<\/p>\n It is the first time the Wallabies have split leadership duties but Jones \ufefffloated the idea back in April.<\/a><\/p>\n The coach \ufeffindicated that prop Slipper could play 50-60 minutes while flanker Hooper remained an 80 minute player.<\/p>\n READ MORE:<\/strong> Eddie reveals Swans link behind huge Wallabies captaincy call<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n READ MORE:<\/strong> Bolters galore as Jones names co-captains in historic squad<\/strong><\/a>\ufeff<\/strong><\/p>\n READ MORE:<\/strong> Breakdancing Crusaders coach seals perfect Super Rugby legacy<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Jones joked he would "flip a coin" to decide who got first crack at on field duties before stating that the players would "work it out" between them.<\/p>\n "The two of them together – it's a powerful force for us. Like it's a winning edge for us guys, a winning edge for us … with injury there may be a situation where they're both not on the field and that's where the leadership group will fill the back end."<\/p>\n Jones also sprung some major surprises in his squad of 34\ufeff players for the Rugby Championship ahead of the first clash with South Africa in Pretoria on July 9 (AEST).<\/p>\n There are eight uncapped players \ufeffin Carter Gordon, Josh Kemeny, Matt Faessler, Zane Nonggorr, Tom Hooper, Ryan Lonergan, Dylan Pietsch and Richie Arnold.<\/p>\n Rebels loose forward Kemeny \ufeffwas curiously listed as a "utility" alongside Waratahs backs Pietsch and Ben Donaldson.<\/p>\n "We want Kemeny to play seven, six and play on the wing," Jones said.<\/p>\n "He's quick enough to play on the wing. That's why he's down as a utility player.<\/p>\n "We need to develop a team that's multidimensional because of the fact that with red cards, yellow cards, you need to be able to adapt on the field. So nothing's not possible and we need to develop that adaptability in the team … we're creating the structure of the team that will take us to the World Cup and we need a backrower who can play wing.<\/p>\n "I'm serious about this, you know Hoops (Michael Hooper) can probably do it. In his younger days, he was quick, he was faster than most of the wingers and now he's probably as fast apart from Suli (Vunivalu) when he's got his cattle prod chasing him. And then Kemeny's quick enough to be a winger. He's a tall, rangy guy, good in the air."<\/p>\n https:\/\/twitter.com\/wwos\/status\/1672772132789694465?s=20<\/a><\/p>\n Jones also enjoyed sparring with a reporter who asked about Fraser McReight's chances of gametime at openside flanker behind \ufeffor alongside the venerable Michael Hooper.<\/p>\n Reds star \ufeffMcReight was judged Australia's best player in Super Rugby Pacific this season by Stan Sport's Between Two Posts<\/em> panel.<\/p>\n "Are you from Queensland?" Jones queried at the Gold Coast press conference.<\/p>\n "I think it's premature to go down those selection computations. We'll have two guys competing for seven and it's a good battle mate and that's what we want."<\/p>\n Jones also lauded the rise of rugged and versatile Brumbi\ufeffes forward Tom Hooper, who came back from serious injuries to be a standout at the business end of the season.<\/p>\n "He's come from basically nowhere, you know," Jones said.<\/p>\n "Halfway during the year, he was walking his dog and now he's in the Wallaby squad…<\/p>\n "He's absolutely combative. Chiefs game (semi-final), he's taking him on, he's in there."<\/p>\n Jones also listed a 'rehab group' that featured Angus Bell, Langi Gleeson, Andrew Kellaway, Samu Kerevi, Jordan Petaia and Matt Philip.\ufeff<\/p>\n The coach said only Kerevi was a realistic chance of playing against the Springboks.\ufeff<\/p>\n WALLABIES SQUAD<\/strong><\/p>\n Forwards:<\/strong> Allan Alaalatoa, Richie Arnold, Matt Faessler, Nick Frost, Matt Gibbon, Jed Holloway, Michael Hooper, Tom Hooper, Rob Leota, Fraser McReight, Zane Nonggorr, Dave Porecki, Pete Samu, Will Skelton, James Slipper, Taniela Tupou, Jordan Uelese, Rob Valetini<\/p>\n Backs:<\/strong> Quade Cooper, Lalakai Foketi, Carter Gordon, Reece Hodge, Len Ikitau, Marika Koroibete, Ryan Lonergan, Tate McDermott, Mark Nawaqanitawase, Izaia Perese, Suliasi Vunivalu, Nic White, Tom Wright<\/p>\n Utilities:<\/strong> Ben Donaldson, Josh Kemeny, Dylan Pietsch<\/p>\n For a daily dose of the best of the breaking news and exclusive content from Wide World of Sports, subscribe to our newsletter by<\/strong><\/em> clicking here<\/strong><\/em><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<\/p>\n
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