Australia head coach Robbie Deans has signalled a changing of the guard in his 30-man squad for the summer internationals.
Deans has omitted back row forager Phil Waugh and front row Al Baxter, two players who have almost 150 international caps to their name.
Flanker Matt Hodgson of Western Force is the immediate replacement for Waugh, while there is room for six uncapped forwards in the squad, including hookers Saia Faingaa and Huia Edmonds and props Ben Daley, Laurie Weeks and Salesi Ma’afu.
There is one new face among the backs, with Waratahs centre Rob Horne given the nod for the first time.
The Wallabies meet Fiji in Canberra on 5 June, England in Perth and Sydney over the following fortnight before wrapping up their programme against Ireland in Brisbane on 26 June.
The Tri-Nations kicks off on 10 July with New Zealand-South Africa in Auckland but Australia’s first game of their annual championship is against the Springboks in Brisbane on 24 July.
Australia squad for tests against Fiji, England (x 2) and Ireland:
Forwards: Ben Alexander (ACT Brumbies) Richard Brown (Western Force), Rocky Elsom (Brumbies), Huia Edmonds (Brumbies), Saia Faingaa (Queensland Reds), Stephen Hoiles (Brumbies), Matt Hodgson (Force), Tatafu Polota-Nau (Waratahs), Nathan Sharpe (Force), Laurie Weeks (Reds), Ben Daley (Reds), Mark Chisholm (Brumbies), Pek Cowan (Force), Salesi Ma’afu (Brumbies), Dean Mumm (Waratahs), David Pocock (Force).
Backs: Adam Ashley-Cooper (Brumbies), Berrick Barnes (Waratahs), Kurtley Beale (Waratahs), Luke Burgess (Waratahs), Quade Cooper (Reds), Will Genia (Reds), Matt Giteau (Brumbies), Rob Horne (Waratahs), Peter Hynes (Reds), Digby Ioane (Reds), Drew Mitchell (Waratahs), James O’Connor (Force), Lachie Turner (Waratahs), Josh Valentine (Brumbies).
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