Jordan Petaia included in Australia's World Cup squad

Australia have included Queensland Reds' Jordan Petaia in the 31-man squad for the World Cup that kicks-off in Japan next month.

Petaia, who missed most of the 2019 Super Rugby season with an injury is the only uncapped player in the squad and has represented Australia Schoolboys and Australia Under 20 sides in the past.

Adam Ashley-Cooper will feature in his fourth World Cup after playing in 2007, 2011 and 2015 editions and with 17 games in the past editions combined, he is just five behind New Zealand's all-time leaders Jason Leonard and Richie McCaw. The squad will be captained by Michael Hooper with Samu Kerevi as his deputy.

Australia head coach Michael Cheika said he was pleased with the preparation of the players heading into the World Cup.

“Firstly, I would like to thank all of the players who have contributed to the Wallabies' Rugby Championship and Bledisloe Cup campaigns this season.

“We’ve 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 Japan with the full support of those team mates who won’t board the flight.

“We have worked really hard at building each week and each game so far this season, and play a brand of Rugby that Australia would be proud of and get every player contributing towards the outcome.

“It’s also important that we select a squad that will handle the tournament play and our draw in particular at the Rugby World Cup, as well as maintain a strong competition for places in the team.

“These next few weeks are about building and adding that little extra edge as a squad and we'll be working hard to make sure we deliver on the qualities we want people to see when we run out on the field in Japan.

“We have five extra train-on members coming with us to New Caledonia and then we’ll return to take on Samoa, who we have had great clashes with in the past".

Australia will have a 10-day camp in New Caledonia before they take on Samoa in their final World Cup warm-up game in Parramatta on 7th October.