Horwill and White omitted from Australia’s World Cup squad

James Horwill will arrive at Harlequins earlier than expected as the former Australia captain wasn’t included in Michael Cheika‘s World Cup squad.
There is also no room is the 31-man squad for scrum-half Nic White who was key in the win over the All Blacks two weeks ago with 10 points in a matter of minutes off the bench.
Despite recurrent poor performances Quade Cooper will be competing for the fly-half shirt with Bernard Foley while Rebels prop Toby Smith is the only uncapped player in the squad.
Former Exeter captain Dean Mumm has been successful in his bid to book a place for the World Cup and so has the Toulon duo of Matt Giteau and Drew Mitchell.
“We’re become a really tight group and it was a very difficult process in picking only 31 players, but I know each player selected will travel to England with the full support of those team mates who won’t board the flight,” Cheika said.
“Our primary focus throughout the Super Rugby competition, the Rugby Championship and Bledisloe Cup was to select a balanced squad between youth, experience and form and this squad certainly delivers on this.
“I don’t know why people are quizzing Quade Cooper’s selection. He’s been a long-time player for Australia and I think he’s done well for us.
“He can obviously improve like all our players can. I think it’s just an easy stereotype to have a crack at him. As a coach, I evaluate what’s in the game, not what’s written or tweeted or whatever.
“We see some improvements we can make in him over the next few weeks that will get him playing better in our system. I’m really comfortable with selecting him and I don’t think there was a question on it.”
Australia’s World Cup squad
Forwards: David Pocock, Scott Fardy, Michael Hooper, Rob Simmons, James Slipper, Sekope Kepu, Greg Holmes, Stephen Moore (captain), Tatafu Polota-Nau, Scott Sio, Will Skelton, Ben McCalman, Wycliff Palu, Sean McMahon, Kane Douglas, Toby Smith, Dean Mumm.
Backs: Israel Folau, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Drew Mitchell, Tevita Kuridrani, Matt Giteau, Bernard Foley, Quade Cooper, Matt Toomua, Kurtley Beale, Will Genia, Nick Phipps, Rob Horne, Henry Speight, Joe Tomane.