Rugby: Playmakers big part of McKenzie's squad

Recalled: Quade Cooper. Photo / Richard Robinson

New Wallabies coach Ewen McKenzie has recalled controversial five-eighth Quade Cooper and revealed he is looking at incumbent pivot James O'Connor primarily as an outside back.

Cooper returns to the squad for the first time since September 2012 when he dubbed the Wallabies environment as "toxic".

O'Connor, who started all three tests of the recent Lions series at five-eighth was listed at wing/fullback on yesterday's press release, and McKenzie confirmed he had spoken to the player about his decision.

"That's where I see him primarily, I think he can play a bunch of positions, but that's what we'll focus [on]," McKenzie said.

He was reluctant to concentrate on Cooper's recall, instead highlighting the fact several playmakers had been chosen in the squad.

It also included two uncapped five-eighths, the Brumbies' Matt Toomua and the Waratahs' Bernard Foley.

"There's a bunch of guys coming into the squad who are all playmakers and the way we want to look at playing the game, we want to be able to move the ball around the park," McKenzie said.

"You need a good passing game, you need good vision.

"They are all attributes of the guys we've included in the squad so there's a bunch of guys who can deliver in that space, so that's what we are going to invest in."

The other uncapped backs are Brumbies halfback Nic White, centres Tevita Kuridrani and Chris Feauai-Sautia of the Brumbies and Reds respectively and Waratahs winger Peter Betham. The new names among the forwards are locks Hugh Pyle and Scott Fardy of the Rebels and Brumbies respectively, Brumbies prop Scott Sio and Reds' back rower Jake Schatz.

Backs Berrick Barnes and Drew Mitchell and lock Sitaleki Timani, all of whom have signed for overseas clubs, were omitted from the squad.

The list of injured players includes back rowers David Pocock and Scott Higginbotham, centre Pat McCabe and winger Digby Ioane, who are all expected to miss the majority, if not all, of the Rugby Championship.

Australian Rugby Union chief executive Bill Pulver said McKenzie was under no immediate pressure, despite starting his tenure with two games against the world champion All Blacks.

He said he was confident Israel Folau would recommit to the Wallabies and said there was some interest in league star Benji Marshall who has declared a desire to play rugby.

The squad will be culled to 30 on August 9, eight days before the game against the All Blacks in Sydney.

Squad

Ben Alexander, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Peter Betham, Quade Cooper, Nick Cummins, Dave Dennis, Kane Douglas, Anthony Faingaa, Saia Faingaa, Scott Fardy, Chris Feauai-Sautia, Israel Folau, Bernard Foley, Will Genia, Liam Gill, Mike Harris, Michael Hooper, James Horwill, Sekope Kepu, Peter Kimlin, Tevita Kuridrani, Christian Leali'ifano, Ben McCalman, Hugh McMeniman, Jesse Mogg, Stephen Moore, Ben Mowen, James O'Connor, Nick Phipps, Tatafu Polota Nau, Hugh Pyle, Benn Robinson, Paddy Ryan, Jake Schatz, Rob Simmons, Scott Sio, James Slipper, Joe Tomane, Matt Toomua, Nic White.

- AAP