Connolly casts an Eye over Wallaby hopefuls

New Australian Wallabies Coach John Connolly got a first hand look at his Wallaby hopefuls today, as players from the 42-man train-on squad took the field for their first training session since going into camp yesterday.

The extended Wallaby train-on squad, featuring players from all four Australian Super 14 teams, joined in Sydney yesterday to begin a three-day camp ahead of next Monday's announcement of the Wallabies squad for the 2006 Bundaberg Rum Rugby Series.

The new-look Wallaby Coaching Staff presided over their first training session today, a lineouts session at Victoria Barracks, while the Wallaby hopefuls will try to convince selectors of their value over the next two days.

Western Force captain and 2005 Wallabies vice captain Nathan Sharpe said that players in the train-on squad were looking to impress during this week's camp.

"It's very exciting to be back in camp, especially with the large number of new faces on board," said Sharpe.

"With the new coaching staff I think everyone is starting with a clean slate, which makes it pretty important to work hard over the next two days," he said.

Connolly said that there was great value in assembling a large squad prior to the announcement of the final squad next Monday.

"Some of the things that we will achieve here will certainly save us some time when we get the final squad together on Monday," he said.

"We had a brief meeting last night to go over the camp structure and talk a little bit about the program for the year," said Connolly.

"Originally we thought we wouldn't have the Waratahs for this camp so it's a nice bonus to have everyone here, given the short time we have to prepare for the test against England on June 11."

The new Wallaby Coach had not yet decided how many players would make up his final squad.

"The final squad will be between 33 and 35 players.

The players involved in this camp are being strongly considered but we can't rule out bringing in players from outside this group when it comes to naming the final squad," said Connolly.

Brumbies prop Guy Shepherdson, who is in his first Wallabies camp, felt the step up in intensity at today's training session.

"For someone in my position, who has never been a part of anything at this level, it's nice to be included in the initial squad and to get to see how it works at this level and to get that initial experience in what's expected at the Wallaby level," said Shepherdson.

"Today's session certainly showed the intensity in the way things are done," he said.