Holmes and Mumm in Wallabies squad

By Mark Stevens
3/6/2016

Incoming Exeter Chiefs prop Greg Holmes and former club captain Dean Mumm have both been included in Australia's 33-man training squad for the upcoming Test Series against England.

Holmes, who will head to Sandy Park later this summer from the Queensland Reds, plus Mumm are vastly experienced in the international area and were both part of the Wallabies squad that featured in last year's Rugby World Cup, eventually losing to arch rivals New Zealand in the final at Twickenham.

The duo have survived coach Michael Cheika's cull of his initial squad with the following Mike Harris, James Hanson, Adam Coleman, Liam Gill, Eto Nabuli, Joe Powell and Leroy Houston all left out.

One man included, however is Melbourne Rebels star Reece Hodge who has vowed to make the most of his unlikely Wallabies shot. He impressed Cheika after being added to the squad in place of the injured Harris and his versatility has been a handy weapon at least in training, without Harris or Christian Lealiifano in camp.

“Reece has really impressed me this week after being thrown into the deep end,” Cheika said. “It’s not just about being in the environment for him now and I know he’ll be pushing for selection in the match day 23.”

The 21-year-old is the only real bolter included in a trimmed down 33-man squad named by Cheika as the team heads to Brisbane.

Karmichael Hunt will also have the chance to push for a spot, included in the 13 backs to head south from the Sunshine Coast, while former captain James Horwill is still in the running to return to Test rugby, after cutting short his honeymoon to join Wallabies camp last week.

With Sekope Kepu on Friday signalling his intent to return to Super Rugby and Taqele Naiyaravoro announcing a move last week, Horwill is the only overseas-based player in the squad.

Qantas Wallabies 33-man training squad for the 2016 England Series: Alan Alaalatoa* (Brumbies), Rory Arnold* (Brumbies), Sam Carter (Brumbies), Scott Fardy (Brumbies), Israel Folau (NSW Waratahs), Bernard Foley (NSW Waratahs), Nick Frisby* (Queensland Reds), Dane Haylett-Petty* (Western Force), Reece Hodge* (Melbourne Rebels), Greg Holmes (Queensland Reds), Michael Hooper (NSW Waratahs), Rob Horne (NSW Waratahs), James Horwill (Harlequins), Karmichael Hunt* (Queensland Reds), Sekope Kepu (NSW Waratahs), Samu Kerevi* (Queensland Reds), Tevita Kuridrani (Brumbies), Christian Lealiifano (Brumbies), Ben McCalman (Western Force), Sean McMahon (Melbourne Rebels), Stephen Moore (Brumbies), Luke Morahan (Western Force), Dean Mumm (NSW Waratahs), Taqele Naiyaravoro (NSW Waratahs), Wycliff Palu (NSW Waratahs), Nick Phipps (NSW Waratahs), David Pocock (Brumbies), Tatafu Polota-Nau (NSW Waratahs), Rob Simmons (Queensland Reds), Scott Sio (Brumbies), Will Skelton (NSW Waratahs), James Slipper (Queensland Reds), Toby Smith (Melbourne Rebels)

*denotes uncapped at Test level