Code-hopping Israel Folau is in but Quade Cooper is the most notable omission from Robbie Deans’ initial 25-man squad to take on the touring British and Irish Lions in June and July.
James O’Connor, Berrick Barnes and Christian Lealiifano are the preferred five-eighth options for the three-Test series, although Deans will add a further six players on June 11 to complete the squad and says the door is not completely closed for Cooper and Kurtley Beale.
Cooper was overlooked despite his strong Queensland halves partnership with Wallabies halfback Will Genia and some impressive form for the Reds over recent rounds of Super Rugby.
But Deans insisted Cooper was not continuing to pay the price for his infamous criticism of the Wallabies’ culture last year.
Instead the coach said Cooper had to prove his ability to defend in the frontline, rather than dropping to fullback as he has been doing for the Reds.
The mercurial playmaker could yet force his way into the squad as it remains unclear what plans Deans has for Beale, who is undergoing rehab treatment for issues with alcohol.
“People will say that’s the end for Quade, but that’s not the case. There’s still six positions to be resolved,” Deans said on Sunday.
“We all know Quade’s history in the group. I’ve selected him on 38 occasions, I understand. So he’s had a lot of faith and support from me. To suggest otherwise is nonsense.”
Deans admitted O’Connor had the inside running for the No.10 jumper for the first Test in Brisbane on June 22, but said Cooper could stake his claim for inclusion in the Wallabies squad at least when the Reds tackle the Lions on June 8.
“He will get the opportunity to play against the Lions and we’ve had dialogue around what’s important,” Deans said.
“He understands what’s important at Test level and it’s a great opportunity for him to press his claims.”
Folau, Lealiifano and Brumbies captain Ben Mowen are the three uncapped players in the squad.
With veteran George Smith ruled out with a knee injury, Deans and his co-selectors opted for young guns Michael Hooper and Liam Gill as his openside flankers.
Reds hooker Saia Faingaa gained inclusion as Stephen Moore’s back-up hooker after NSW’s incumbent rake Tatafu Polota-Nau suffered a broken arm in Saturday night’s 28-22 win over the Brumbies.
The squad contains only one halfback, but Deans said he would add at least one more, with former Wallaby Luke Burgess under consideration and scheduled to return to Australia from France in late May or early June.
Deans will name his captain when the squad is finalised on June 11.
Wallabies squad: Ben Alexander, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Berrick Barnes, Nick Cummins, Dave Dennis, Saia Faingaa, Israel Folau, Will Genia, Liam Gill, Scott Higginbotham, Michael Hooper, Rob Horne, James Horwill, Digby Ioane, Sekope Kepu, Christian Lealiifano, Stephen Moore, Ben Mowen, Jame O’Connor, Wycliff Palu, Benn Robinson, Rob Simmons, James Slipper, Sitaleki Timani, Joe Tomane.
