As the date draws ever closer, the Australians have named their squad for the tests against the Lions
By Adrian Collins
Australian coach Robbie Deans today announced his initial 25-man squad for the Lions tour this summer, and the biggest news will be the omission of Quade Cooper, without a doubt.
Deans was keen to point out that the door is not closed to the fly-half, nor to the other players who may have missed out, as there will be six more players added on June 11th, so it will be up to him to prove he warrants his place.
Both George Smith and Tatafu Polota-Nau have been left out also, as they look to recover from a knee injury and fractured arm respecitvely.
There are also some very fresh faces in the squad who will be winning their first caps. Israel Folau, who amazingly switched from Australian rules at the beginning of this season, as well as Ben Mowen and Christian Lealiifano, who have all been called upon for the first time.
The squad in full is: Ben Alexander, Berrick Barnes, Nick Cummins, Dave Dennis, Saia Fainga’a, Israel Folau, Will Genia, Liam Gill, Scott Higginbotham, Michael Hooper, Rob Horne, James Horwill, Digby Ioane, Sekope Kepu, Christian Lealiifano, Stephen Moore, Ben Mowen, James O’Connor, Wycliff Palu, Benn Robinson, Rob Simmons, James Slipper, Sitaleki Timani, Joe Tomane.
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