The Daily Telegraph reports as follows:

COACH Robbie Deans has chosen five uncapped frontrowers in his 30-man Wallabies squad for next month’s inbound Tests against Fiji, England and Ireland.

The squad includes Queensland Reds props Laurie Weeks and Ben Daley and Brumbies prop Salesi Ma’afu, all yet to play a Test.


With established hooker Stephen Moore unavailable through injury, Deans also selected two uncapped rakes in the Brumbies’ Huia Edmonds and Saia Faingaa from Queensland.

Two other uncapped players made the squad, young Waratahs centre Rob Horne and Western Force flanker Matt Hodgson.

Rocky Elsom retains the captaincy despite speculation he may have been under pressure to hold the job.

Among the notable omissions were NSW Waratahs captain and openside flanker Phil Waugh, possibly spelling the end of his long international career.

Waugh’s Waratahs teammate Al Baxter – the most capped Wallabies prop ever – also failed to force his way back into Dean’s squad after missing last year’s Spring tour.

Brumbies captain and No.8 Stephen Hoiles was rewarded for a good Super 14 season with a recall to the squad.

Among leading players unavailable through injury were prop Benn Robinson, lock James Horwill, No.8 Wycliff Palu and Moore.

Regular Wallaby halfback Will Genia was named in the squad even though injury could keep him out of the first two Tests, against Fiji and England.

Wallabies squad: Ben Alexander, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Berrick Barnes, Kurtley Beale, Richard Brown, Luke Burgess, Mark Chisholm, Quade Cooper, Pek Cowan, Ben Daley, Rocky Elsom (capt), Huia Edmonds, Saia Faingaa, Will Genia, Matt Giteau, Stephen Hoiles, Matt Hodgson, Rob Horne, Peter Hynes, Digby Ioane, Salesi Ma’afu, Drew Mitchell, Dean Mumm, James O’Connor, David Pocock, Tatafu Polota-Nau, Nathan Sharpe, Lachie Turner, Josh Valentine, and Laurie Weeks.

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