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Wingers Drew Mitchell and Lachie Turner are among five players dumped as Wallabies coach Robbie Deans wielded the selection axe for the upcoming Tri- Nations rugby series.
Deans named four uncapped newcomers in his 28-man squad – Queenslanders Anthony Faingaa (centre), Scott Higginbotham (backrower) and Rob Simmons (lock) and Western Force backrower Ben McCalman.
Dropped from the squad used for the June home Tests were Mitchell and Turner, props Pek Cowan and Laurie Weeks, and hooker Huia Edmonds.
The axing of Mitchell and Turner means Adam Ashley-Cooper is likely to remain at wing rather than returning to his preferred fullback spot as he, Peter Hynes and Digby Ioane are the only wingers named in the squad and the injured Ioane may not be fit for the first Test or two.
Leading frontrowers Benn Robinson and Stephen Moore return after missing the June Tests through injury.
Hooker Tatafu Polota-Nau was not considered as he is awaiting ankle surgery later this month and neither were prop Ben Alexander (knee) and No.8 Stephen Hoiles (achilles) after they recently underwent surgery.
The Wallabies open their Tri Nations campaign against South Africa in Brisbane on July 24.
Just 28 of the 30 scheduled names have been released, with the coaching panel of Robbie Deans, Jim Williams and Richard Graham, and selector David Nucifora, opting to play a waiting game on the final two spots before confirming the final playing roster.
“We still have some decisions to make, and would like to see a little bit more club rugby before settling on the final two positions,” Wallabies head coach Robbie Deans says.
“Given the difficulties that we have experienced this year, in terms of our injury circumstance, we feel that it is prudent to allow ourselves a little bit more time in this instance to cover off any other requirements we feel that we will need.”
Anthony Faingaa and Ben McCalman both impressed as part of the Barbarians squad during the two-match midweek series against England last month.
“Anthony and Ben have both been rewarded for their performance against England, in terms of what they brought to those games, and what we feel they can add to our mix,” Deans says.
“They are both uncompromising players who are very direct, and showed playing for the Australian Barbarians that they have the ability to step up to the next level.”
Simmons and Higginbotham are in a similar category, Deans says.
“We included Rob in the original Barbarians squad as much for the experience as anything else, to get him up to date with our methods and familiar with our environment,” Deans says.
“He was coming off an injury break and we felt that background was important for him looking at the bigger picture. Being able to reintroduce him to the game during the second Barbarians outing was an added bonus, but the experience of the two weeks training with us offers him a good foundation for what is coming.”
Wallabies Tri-Nations squad: Adam Ashley-Cooper, Berrick Barnes, Kurtley Beale, Richard Brown, Luke Burgess, Mark Chisholm, Quade Cooper, Ben Daley, Rocky Elsom (capt), Anthony Faingaa, Saia Faingaa, Will Genia, Matt Giteau, Scott Higginbotham, Matt Hodgson, Rob Horne, Peter Hynes, Digby Ioane, Ben McCalman, Salesi Ma’afu, Stephen Moore, Dean Mumm, Jame O’Connor, David Pocock, Benn Robinson, Nathan Sharpe, Rob Simmons, James Slipper.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.