Wallabies 2023 Rugby World Cup squad in pictures: NSW discard Ben Donaldson lights up tournament
Meet Australia's Rugby World Cup squad
Wallabies coach Eddie Jones has opted for youth and upside in selecting his 2023 Rugby World Cup squad to compete in France.
Here are the 33 men that will try to bring the Webb Ellis Cup back to Australia for the third time.
Ben Donaldson (fullback)
Ben Donaldson was arguably the most contentious selection in a bold Wallabies squad.
The playmaker had an average season for the Waratahs but continued to impress Eddie Jones at training.
Donaldson, who will join the Force next season, repaid the faith with a man of the match performance from fullback in Australia's 35-15 win over Georgia to open the Rugby World Cup.
Donaldson scored two tries in a 25 point haul.
"I'm not sure what the Waratahs didn't see in him. That's their business, not mine," Jones said.
"I think he's a really, really good rugby player. We knew what he was capable of. His long kick was invaluable. He is a very good decision maker. His goal kicking was first class."
Angus Bell (prop)
Angus Bell's Rugby World Cup dream appeared in the balance when he suffered a recurrence of a serious foot injury in February.
But the mobile prop returned to the park in July and was one of Australia's best performers in the Rugby Championship.
The 22-year-old has the potential to become a world class loosehead and is also spoken about as a potential Waratahs and Wallabies captain.
Pone Fa'amausili (prop)
Pone Fa'amausili is a cult hero at the Rebels, where his bullocking runs resemble State of Origin hit ups.
But the giant prop is only scratching the surface of his Test potential and Eddie Jones has been on his back at trainings.
"Eddie's been massive for me," Fa'amausili said.
"Everyone knows that Eddie gets stuck into me on the field in training... he's just pushing me to my limit and he just really wants to see me change my mindset."
Zane Nonggorr (prop)
Queensland prop Zane Nonggorr has been one of the big movers in Australian rugby in 2023, taking advantage of Taniela Tupou's time on the sidelines to impress Eddie Jones.
The 22-year-old now has four Tests to his name and will likely provide cover behind Tupou in France.
Blake Schoupp (prop)
Blake Schoupp has been another Wallabies bolter under Eddie Jones.
The older brother of Gold Coast Titans player Aaron, Schoupp was working as a school teacher only 12 months ago before getting a crack with the Brumbies.
"He is built like a brick shithouse isn't he?" Jones said.
"He is perfectly built to be a prop, he scrummages hard, he is hard on the ball and he is one of those guys who has come up the hard way. I feel with an opportunity we may get a bit more out of him."
James Slipper (prop)
James Slipper is the venerable veteran of Australia's squad.
The Brumbies prop is the ninth most capped player in world rugby history, with a whopping 131 Tests to his name.
Slipper captained the Wallabies last year and shared the role with Michael Hooper in 2023 before Eddie Jones opted for a fresh approach.
One of the most popular and respected players in the country, Slipper will likely share time with Angus Bell at loosehead.
Taniela Tupou (prop)
Taniela Tupou is one of Australia's truly world class players although he admits he is yet to reach his full potential with the Wallabies.
The 'Tongan Thor' has worked overtime to recover from a ruptured Achilles tendon to make the squad in France.
Promisingly, Tupou was dominant with his scrummaging in Australia's final warmup match against France in Paris.
His explosive ball carrying is the cherry on top.
Matt Faessler (hooker)
Matt Faessler has come from the clouds to make the Rugby World Cup, overtaking Lachlan Lonergan for a place in the squad.
The Reds hooker has impressed with his reliable lineout throwing and wasn't overawed in his Test debut against the All Blacks in Dunedin.
Dave Porecki (hooker)
Dave Porecki has been Australia's first choice hooker under both Dave Rennie and Eddie Jones.
The Manly Marlins junior honed his craft in England before returning home to Sydney to play for the Waratahs.
He is not a flashy player but rarely has a poor game.
