Five things we learned about the Wallabies after Ewen McKenzie named his squad for the France series

WHAT did we really learn about the Wallabies following Ewen McKenzie’s announcement of his squad for the France series? Here’s five things.

Wallabies coach Ewen McKenzie announces the 32-man squad for Australia’s upcoming three-game test against France at a press conference in Sydney on May 22, 2014. Australia will play France in the 2014 Castrol EDGE France Tour in Brisbane on June 7, Melbourne on June 14 and Sydney on June 21. AFP PHOTO/Peter PARKS

EWEN McKenzie has named his first Wallabies squad for the year — ahead of next month’s three-Test series against France.

There were a few new faces — led by giant Waratahs lock Will Skelton — and some surprise omissions like veteran prop Benn Robinson.

So what did we really learn about the Wallabies after this squad announcement? Here’s five things.

MCKENZIE REWARDS FORM PLAYERS

Let’s start with the raw numbers. The Brumbies and Waratahs are the best-performed Australian sides in Super Rugby this year, and this has been reflected in the Wallabies squad with those sides providing 10 and 11 players respectively.

The next best side — Western Force — has five players, including debutant hooker Nathan Charles. Veteran Force flanker Matt Hodgson’s recall — ahead of Reds young gun Liam Gill — is a sure sign that form played a big role in the selection of this squad.

Force captain Matt Hodgson has been rewarded for strong Super Rugby form.

At the other end of the ladder the rock-bottom Reds have just four representatives — less than half the number that they provided for the Rugby Championship last year. The Rebels, second last in the Australian conference, have two players — skipper Scott Higginbotham and uncapped lock Luke Jones.

“There’s a few guys that have been recalled — Pek Cowan being one, Matt Hodgson being another. I think that’s reflective of form,” McKenzie admitted.

BEALE, FOLEY BATTLING FOR NO. 10 JERSEY

Quade Cooper’s shoulder injury last weekend seemingly opened the door for Matt Toomua to shift in from inside centre and assume the No. 10 jersey.

So it was a surprise when McKenzie revealed his flyhalf options — and didn’t name Toomua. Instead Waratahs teammates Bernard Foley and Kurtley Beale will battle for the chief playmaker role, with Toomua named as a centre option.

Kurtley Beale shapes as a flyhalf option for the Wallabies.

Beale has largely played inside centre for NSW in 2014 but McKenzie, who coached him “as a 10 back in my Waratahs days” sees him in that role for the Wallabies.

“That’s exactly how I think. It doesn’t mean I’m right but that’s how I think at the moment. That’s how we’ll progress and we’ll see what happens,” he said.

OVERSEAS-BOUND PLAYERS OVERLOOKED

Ben Mowen captained the Wallabies in their last Test — against Wales in December — while Kane Douglas was on the bench.

Both have since signed contracts to play overseas next year — and both have been overlooked for the France series, as has the another overseas-bound player once touted for a Test career, Hugh Pyle.

Ben Mowen has been overlooked for the Wallabies squad.

“I made a decision that we need to look forward,” McKenzie said.

“We’re really making an investment in the guys that are going to be around over the next period of time.

“Those guys are technically eligible to play for the Wallabies and that doesn’t mean we mightn’t call upon them but the focus at the moment is to move forward and develop our depth.”

CAPTAINCY STILL UP IN THE AIR

Mowen’s omission means McKenzie must name a new skipper — but he’s happy to take his time on that decision.

He will delay naming his skipper until the Wallabies formally gather together ahead of the June 7 series opener.

Michael Hooper is one of several contenders for the Wallabies captaincy.

“We’ll get into camp and make an announcement about leadership,” McKenzie said.

Former Wallaby captains James Horwill and Will Genia along with Stephen Moore and Michael Hooper shape as the main contenders for the captaincy.

ONLY ONE EYE ON THE WORLD CUP

The 2015 World Cup is 16 months away and any Wallabies squad announcement between now and then will be analysed with the Webb Ellis Cup in mind.

But while McKenzie admitted to being conscious of the World Cup, he was also quick to point out that “it’s been six years since we last won five games on the trot”.

After signing off 2013 with four-straight wins he is eager to build on that momentum and take it into upcoming Tests against the likes of the All Blacks and Springboks.

“I have one eye on the World Cup for sure,” he said.

Ewen McKenzie with the trophy for the upcoming Wallabies-France series.

“But I’m not a guy that thinks we’re just going to do everything for the World Cup. I’m very interested in the journey along the way and what we can do.

“This is a great opportunity, this trophy is important. We can make a bit of history if we’re good enough.

“And you obviously get on to the Rugby Championship, Bledisloe Cup — all those things are on offer a couple of times before the World Cup even comes along. I’m very confident we won’t be looking too far ahead.”

Originally published as Five things we learned about the Wallabies after Ewen McKenzie named his squad for the France series