FORMER Kinross First XV skipper Ben McCalman is edging closer to his 50th international cap after being named in the Wallabies’ 36-man train-on squad.
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The group assembles in Sydney on Monday for a tune up ahead of the Rugby Championship’s opener against New Zealand at ANZ Stadium on August 20.
The Western Force No.8 has played 48 Tests for Australia.
The squad contains four uncapped players, including Waratahs prop Tom Robertson and Rebels forward Lopeti Timani who have been selected in a Wallabies train-on squad for the first time.
“We have had a great week with the players in our initial training squad and they’ve enjoyed working hard together,” Qantas Wallabies Head Coach Michael Cheika said.
"Next week's training squad will include selected players from Canberra and we will start to look closely at the final 33 in preparation for the Central Coast camp."
The squad also includes four overseas-based players, with Adam Ashley-Cooper, Will Genia, Matt Giteau and Drew Mitchell all selected ahead of the opening Bledisloe Cup Test in Sydney.
“All of our eligible European-based players expressed a desire to play for the Wallabies during The Rugby Championship and that experience is invaluable,” Cheika said.
“We have a very clear purpose in this team and we are prepared to work very hard to respect that purpose."
Qantas Wallabies train-on squad for The Rugby Championship: Allan Alaalatoa* (0 Tests), Adam Ashley-Cooper (114 Tests), Adam Coleman (1 Test), Quade Cooper (58 Tests), Kane Douglas (23 Tests), Scott Fardy (33 Tests), Israel Folau (41 Tests), Bernard Foley (30 Tests), Nick Frisby (2 Tests), Will Genia (66 Tests), Matt Giteau (102 Tests), James Hanson (10 Tests), Dane Haylett-Petty (3 Tests), Reece Hodge* (0 Tests), Michael Hooper (54 Tests), Rob Horne (32 Tests), Sekope Kepu (66 Tests), Samu Kerevi (2 Tests), Tevita Kuridrani (34 Tests), Ben McCalman (48 Tests), Sean McMahon (9 Tests), Drew Mitchell (70 Tests), Luke Morahan (2 Tests), Stephen Moore (c) (105 Tests), Dean Mumm (46 Tests), Nick Phipps (42 Tests), David Pocock (56 Tests), Tatafu Polota-Nau (64 Tests), Tom Robertson* (0 Tests), Rob Simmons (62 Tests), Scott Sio (18 Tests), Will Skelton (15 Tests), James Slipper (77 Tests), Toby Smith (4 Tests), Lopeti Timani* (0 Tests), Matt Toomua (32 Tests).