Wallabies selectors injected a copious amount of new blood into their 40-man training squad ahead of the coming spring tour, naming 12 uncapped players, including two second-row bolters.
Circumstances forced the hands of selectors to some extent, with up to 10 players unavailable due to injury.
The absentee list included former captain and centre Stirling Mortlock, locks James Horwill and Mark Chisholm, back-rowers Wycliff Palu and Stephen Hoiles, hooker Tatafu Polota-Nau and backs Rob Horne, Digby Ioane, Will Chambers and Cameron Shepherd.
The list of uncapped players ranges greatly in age and experience.
The contingent includes veteran Queensland lock Van Humphries, who will turn 35 in January, down to 20-year-old Brumbies back Matt Toomua.
Humphries apart, another lock surprise is former Queensland and Western Force second-rower and new Waratahs recruit Pat O’Connor, who is currently playing for Northland in New Zealand’s ITM Cup.
Yet another new lock is Waratahs youngster Kane Douglas, one of three uncapped 21-year-olds in the squad along with Force hooker Nathan Charles and Reds wing speedster Rod Davies.
Perhaps the most surprising newcomer in the backs is New Zealand-born Australian sevens representative Brackin Karauria-Henry, who has made just three Super appearances for the Brumbies, before signing for NSW.
The other uncapped players in the squad are forwards Mitchell Chapman, Dave Dennis and Scott Higginbotham and backs Pat McCabe and Richard Kingi.
Wallabies coach Robbie Deans said there was still some chance that Polota-Nau, Chambers and Shepherd could recover in time for the tour of Hong Kong and Europe, though it was unlikely.
He said Chisholm was progressing well from his injury and could be considered later along with members of the Australian sevens squad currently in India for the Commonwealth Games.
However, Deans said a number of players, including skipper and flanker Rocky Elsom, winger Drew Mitchell, McCabe and Higginbotham wouldn’t train fully at the start of the camp in Sydney on Tuesday.
Back in the squad after lengthy injury periods this year are props Ben Alexander and Sekope Kepu.
Deans acknowledged the spate of injuries this year had a positive side.
“I think there is a silver lining to it. We’ve got a large group of players who have been exposed to rugby at this level,” Deans told AAP.
Asked about the inclusion of journeyman Humphries, who has played in Italy, New Zealand and Japan as well as for NSW and Queensland, Deans said: “Van had a good Super rugby series.
“He picked up an injury at the end, which ruled him out in terms of consideration through June with the Australian Barbarians program, so he gets an opportunity now.”
He said Karauria-Henry was a development player, but his versatility would be valuable in the camp and the youngster was “clearly a talent”.
The seven match tour of Hong Kong and Europe includes Tests against New Zealand, Wales, England, Italy and France and midweek fixtures against English Leicester and Irish province Munster.
Wallabies: Ben Alexander, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Berrick Barnes, Kurtley Beale, Richard Brown, Luke Burgess, Nathan Charles, Mitchell Chapman, Quade Cooper, Ben Daley, Rod Davies, Dave Dennis, Kane Douglas, Huia Edmonds, Rocky Elsom, Anthony Faingaa, Saia Faingaa, Will Genia, Matt Giteau, Scott Higginbotham, Matt Hodgson, Peter Hynes, Van Humphries, Brackin Karauria-Henry, Sekope Kepu, Richard Kingi, Salesi Ma’afu, Pat McCabe, Ben McCalman, Drew Mitchell, Stephen Moore, Dean Mumm, James O’Connor, Pat O’Connor, David Pocock, Benn Robinson, Nathan Sharpe, Rob Simmons, James Slipper, Matt Toomua.
Oakie
Guest
Its a rugby team mate not a multi national company, if you would be happy with the NZ B team turning out for Aust good for you, I just think its disappointing that in some cases NZ born players are viewed as a better option than say someone like John Grant the Shute Shield top try scorer.
stash
Roar Pro
Talk about "hands up who wants to be a wallaby" There is absolutely no way he would be allowed to do this if he was running the all blacks. If Deans has so much "depth in injury"... Why does he need more back-up? Would this not mean that the current squad are in fact the back-up players?
stash
Roar Pro
Does this not make for disturbing reading to supporters? This would be all nice and dandy if it was the 2013 end of year tour.... but Deans has a handful of games before the World Cup. He is currently fielding one of the most inexperienced and youngest Wallaby teams in its professional history. The excuses for the low success rate and high loss ratio have been that he has been building a new core team. Blooding 12 new players NOW seems an excess.... come on, this is not one of those reality TV shows where you build a world beating rugby team within 6 games. 1 or 2 bolters - fair enough. But Deans needs to be stabilising his squad at this time and focusing on covering the key positions. 12 selections is not a bold declaration of a master weaving his magical brush onto a landscape of selection genius - rather it it smacks of desperation and is a disturbing sign of coach that is uncertain in his current squad selections who is panicking as he rounds the final bend on the race to the finish line. Deans should be looking to settle his squad - sorry, but this is the wrong message to be sending out.
ben
Guest
Jameswm deans has set about refining his second row solution Dave Denis Rob Simmons Pat O'Connor James Horwill Kane Douglas Van Humphries Dan Vickerman Dean Mumm Nathan Sharpe Scott Higginbotham Mitchell Chapman Mark Chisholm
Seiran
Guest
Why? The best players who are available for Wallaby selection should get their chance. It shouldn't and doesn't matter where the person was born. Anything else smacks of discrimination
Rockin Rod
Guest
Totally agree with that call Ben. I think if you play club footy in brissy your out of sight out of mind.
Oakie
Guest
I love NZers, but I have to ask why Brackin Kararuia - Henery, a guy who has only been living in Aust since 2006 is in the squad, I would much prefer to see his place go to someone that was born here or at least lived here most of their lives.
jameswm
Guest
Our issue is the quality of backup in the forwards - our first string pack, with Horwill, Alexander, TPN and Palu back is very good. The problem is the quality falls away too quickly. We need a prop (Slipper or Ma'afu I guess, or else Palmer or Kepu or Daley), a lock (Kane Douglas or Peter Kimlin) and a backrower (Higginbotham?) to really step up to the level of the first stringers. Some others close would be nice, too.
ben
Guest
Most agree that the current Wallabies have come on in leaps and bounds. A reasonably good school report at the end of the year. "Keep working on your skills, stay fit and healthy, don't get injured and keep out of gaol ". Fast forward to the world cup. The Wallabies XV run out for their first pool match. James Slipper, Tatafu Polota-Nau, Ben Alexander, James Horwill, Dan Vickerman, Scott Higginbotham, Matt Hodgson, Wycliff Palu, Luke Burgess, Berrick Barnes, Anthony Faingaa, Digby Ioane, Rod Davies, Drew Mitchell, Peter Hynes. Although none of these players are in the current "run on" Wallaby XV there is confidence that this team will perform well. All that needs doing is to add the current XV into the mix and pick your best 22 for the semis and beyond. Deans & Co will have an interesting dilema. Who to leave out?
jameswm
Guest
Douglas and Dennis were both picked.
Ben
Guest
I would swap Dave Dennis with Leroy Houston. I think Leroy has some real upside, where as i cant see Dennis ever being of International Quality.
Harry
Guest
I agree with that. Hocking, Douglas, Dennis - all about the same oas O'Connor and who have done more at S14 level - should be ahead of this bloke.
CG45
Guest
What's wrong with Peter Betham, i watched him at a trial in Lismore earlier this year and all the leaguies there were asking about this kid and couldn't understand why he had never played super rugby, hopefully he along with afusipa tamoepeau get a crack with the rebels this year. These 2 guys along with Kimami Sitauti from the sevens are our future.
M.O.C.
Roar Guru
Why has it taken so long for some young guys to get a run in the big time?, surely with the lack of a good national comp to play in week in and week out, and with only about 10 Wallaby games left pre-WC, they are stacking the pressure on them a bit. Would it not have been a good idea to try to ease some more of these guys into the painfully long 3N comp to get some experience - perhaps if Deans was more keen to use his bench in games, these guys might have a few playing minutes under their belts against such oponents as the ABs and Boks. I also can't imagine why selecting a 35 year old uncapped player is good for the nation team in the long run, congratulations to him, but is his selection seems a bit of a token gesture?
Jiggles
Guest
can someone shed some light on Will Chambers? I heard he was fit. It would be a real shame to leave him at home if he is fit
LeftArmSpinner
Roar Guru
Its building well for 2011 and beyond. the question is now whether they can perform on the big stage in the big games against the big boys when it counts big time!!!
formeropenside
Guest
Hopefully he does not get cut from the touring party - although you would think that it would be faintly ridiculous if he was; its not like he is 20 years old and being exposed to the Wallaby squad for the good of his future development, a la BKH. Interesting that Pat O'Connor gets picked out of NZ rugby merely having signed for 2011 with a super club. I dont like that myself.
Rockin Rod
Guest
Congrates to Van the man Humphries. If something happend to Sharpe he will fill that libneout calling role. He also is excellent with the restarts, an area the wallabies struggle with. A great reward for years of hard work, well done.