Deans picks seven rookies
New partnership: Deans (right) discusses tactics with Wallaby skipper Stirling Mortlock
Fresh from leading the Crusaders to a seventh Super 14 title on Saturday new Australian coach Robbie Deans has named seven uncapped players in his 30-man squad.
Waratahs Luke Burgess, Dean Mumm and Lachie Turner join Western Force duo Ryan Cross and Richard Brown, Queensland Reds winger Peter Hynes and rookie Brumbies prop Ben Alexander as the uncapped players in the squad.
The Waratahs provide thirteen of the squad on the back of their Super 14 season, in which they lost 20-12 in the final to the Crusaders. Dan Vickerman is overlooked due to the injury he picked up in the final and will be sidelined for six weeks.
The Reds have six representatives in the squad, including the oldest player in 32-year-old Sam Cordingley.
The Brumbies have also provided six players while five have been drawn from Western Force.
"I'm delighted to be here," Deans said in a statement.
"This is an exciting opportunity and a new challenge - taking on the role as Head Coach of the Wallabies.
"It is also an honour. Australia has a rich rugby history. My aim is to make a significant contribution to what is already a proud heritage.
"There are a lot of new faces in this squad, in both the playing ranks and the coaching staff. I look forward to working with the entire team ahead of our first assignment against Ireland in Melbourne.
"Our ultimate goal is the 2011 World Cup in New Zealand, but that is a long way into the future. In the interim there is a lot of hard work to be done."
As expected Stirling Mortlock continues as captain.
"It's the start of a new era, with a new coach and many new faces within the squad," Mortlock said.
"With a few senior players from the World Cup no longer with us, there are challenges ahead, but we're really looking forward to working hard with Robbie and getting results."
Australian squad: Ben Alexander, Alistair Baxter, Richard Brown, Mark Chisholm, Matt Dunning, Rocky Elsom, Adam Freier, Stephen Hoiles, James Horwill, Stephen Moore, Dean Mumm, Wycliff Palu, Tatafu Polota-Nau, Benn Robinson, Nathan Sharpe, George Smith, Phil Waugh, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Berrick Barnes, Luke Burgess, Sam Cordingley, Ryan Cross, Matt Giteau, Peter Hynes, Digby Ioane, Stirling Mortlock, Brett Sheehan, Cameron Shepherd, Lote Tuqiri, Lachie Turner.