France-based Matt Giteau and Drew Mitchell have been included in Australia's squad for the start of the Rugby Championship while Karmichael Hunt and James O'Connor are notable omissions.
After a standout season with the Waratahs, Fiji-born Taqele Naiyaravoro is one of four uncapped players named in the 40-man Wallabies squad on Thursday.
With a view to the World Cup later this year, Wallabies coach Michael Cheika opted to announce an extended squad only for the opening game of the Rugby Championship against South Africa in Brisbane on July 18.
Veteran props Benn Robinson and Ben Alexander were left out, leading to a recall for Queensland front-rower Greg Holmes and a call-up for New Zealand-raised Rebels prop Toby Smith.
Hunt and O'Connor, who both struggled with injury and form during the Super Rugby season but have utility value, were also omitted but their Reds teammates Quade Cooper and powerful inside centre Samu Kerevi got the nod.
Kerevi, winger Naiyaravoro, Smith and Brumbies lock Rory Arnold are the four uncapped players named.
While Toulon teammates Giteau and Mitchell won recalls, back-rower George Smith - who was the other overseas-based player available due to changes in the eligibility rules - wasn't named even though he's been in impressive form for Lyon in France.
The Australian Rugby Union eased eligibility rules earlier this year, allowing overseas-based players who have 60 Test caps and held a contract with Australian rugby for at least seven years to be picked.
Scott Higginbotham and Sam Carter return after missing last season's spring tour due to injury, while Waratahs skipper David Dennis also gets the chance to add to his 18 Wallabies Tests after missing most of 2014 with a knee injury.
Wallabies squad:
Rory Arnold, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Kurtley Beale, Quade Cooper, Dave Dennis, James Hanson, Scott Fardy, Tetera Faulkner, Israel Folau, Bernard Foley, Will Genia, Matt Giteau, Scott Higginbotham, Greg Holmes, Michael Hooper, Rob Horne, James Horwill, Samu Kerevi, Sekope Kepu, Tevita Kuridrani, Christian Leali'ifano, Stephen Moore, Drew Mitchell, Wycliff Palu, Ben McCalman, Sean McMahon, Dean Mumm, Taqele Naiyaravoro, Nick Phipps, David Pocock, Tatafu Polota-Nau, Scott Sio, Rob Simmons, Will Skelton, James Slipper, Toby Smith, Henry Speight, Matt Toomua, Joe Tomane, Nic White.
Share
