With the ACT Brumbies, NSW Waratahs and Queensland Reds all back in training for the upcoming Super 12 season, Wallabies Coach Eddie Jones has today announced a 42-man Australian Rugby Squad for 2005.
The Australian Rugby Squad 2005 is a new initiative working with all three Super 12 teams to monitor the performance of players at both a state and national level throughout the year.
Established to formalize and unify previous programs, Wallaby Coach Eddie Jones says the co-operation of the three Super 12 teams has been important in setting up the ARS 2005.
"We got together with the coaching staff of the three teams last year and agreed on this model to best monitor and prepare our players," said Jones.
"Players named in the ARS will train and play with their Super 12 teams from January to May, however all players will be on yearly strength and conditioning programs."
"This will enable players, whether they are with their Super 12 teams or the Wallabies, to keep on improving."
"The ARS will unify some of the processes that we've had in place in the past, and in turn become an important part of our early preparations for the 2005 Test season."
With 42 players named in the ARS 2005, Jones says the squad has a strong mix of talented players who have already performed at Test and Australia A level, and some new faces who have the potential to do so.
"We've selected a good group of players to give us depth in all positions, but that doesn't mean someone from outside the ARS won't be considered for Wallaby selection," said Jones.
"The Super 12 is always an important form indicator for Test selection and we'll once again keep a close eye on all the Australian players throughout the competition."
ARU General Manager of High Performance, Brett Robinson says the development and structure of the program has received full support from all three state unions.
"There will be a number of benefits to both the Wallabies and the three Australian Super 12 teams from the establishment of the ARS in 2005," said Robinson.
"To have the full backing of the states on this initiative is really important. It's a program that we've worked hard to formalize and something that we are looking forward to implementing."
AUSTRALIAN RUGBY SQUAD 2005
Al Baxter PROP (NSW Waratahs)
Alister Campbell LOCK (ACT Brumbies)
Brendan Cannon HOOKER (NSW Waratahs)
Mark Chisholm LOCK (ACT Brumbies)
David Croft OPENSIDE FLANKER (Queensland Reds)
Luke Doherty BLINDSIDE FLANKER (Queensland Reds)
Matt Dunning PROP (NSW Waratahs)
Scott Fava No. 8 (ACT Brumbies)
David Fitter PROP (ACT Brumbies)
Elton Flatley INSIDE CENTRE / FLYHALF (Queensland Reds)
Adam Freier HOOKER (NSW Waratahs)
Mark Gerrard WING / FULLBACK (ACT Brumbies)
Matt Giteau INSIDE CENTRE / FLYHALF (ACT Brumbies)
George Gregan SCRUMHALF (ACT Brumbies)
Justin Harrison LOCK (NSW Waratahs)
Daniel Heenan BLINDSIDE FLANKER (Queensland Reds)
Nic Henderson PROP (ACT Brumbies)
Matt Henjak SCRUMHALF (ACT Brumbies)
Stephen Hoiles No. 8 (NSW Waratahs)
Stephen Larkham FLYHALF (ACT Brumbies)
Chris Latham FULLBACK (Queensland Reds)
David Lyons No. 8 (NSW Waratahs)
Anthony Mathison PROP (Queensland Reds)
Drew Mitchell CENTRE / WING (Queensland Reds)
Stephen Moore HOOKER (Queensland Reds)
Stirling Mortlock CENTRE (ACT Brumbies)
Jeremy Paul HOOKER (ACT Brumbies)
Clyde Rathbone CENTRE / WING (ACT Brumbies)
John Roe No. 8 (Queensland Reds)
Mat Rogers FULLBACK (NSW Waratahs)
Wendell Sailor WING (Queensland Reds)
Radike Samo BLINDSIDE FLANKER (ACT Brumbies)
Nathan Sharpe LOCK (Queensland Reds)
Cameron Shepherd WING (NSW Waratahs)
George Smith OPENSIDE FLANKER (ACT Brumbies)
Lote Tuqiri WING (NSW Waratahs)
Morgan Turinui CENTRE (NSW Waratahs)
Josh Valentine SCRUMHALF (Queensland Reds)
Daniel Vickerman LOCK (NSW Waratahs)
Phil Waugh OPENSIDE FLANKER (NSW Waratahs)
Chris Whitaker SCRUMHALF (NSW Waratahs)
Bill Young PROP (ACT Brumbies)