Wallabies coach Robbie Deans has brought four uncapped players into his Tri-Nations squad and wielded the axe by dropping six players from the group that tackled Fiji, England and Ireland last month.
On their way out are experienced wings Drew Mitchell and Lachie Turner, along with scrum half Josh Valentine, props Pek Cowan and Laurie Weeks and hooker Huia Edmonds, while Anthony Faingaa (centre), Scott Higginbotham (backrower) and Rob Simmons (lock) and Ben McCalman (back row) have been drafted in.
Deans had already blooded five new front row men and centre Rob Horne in the June Tests and isn’t afraid to give youth its chance as he looks long term to the 2011 Rugby World Cup and the 2013 British & Irish Lions tour. .
Leading front row men Benn Robinson and Stephen Moore return after missing the June Tests through injury and each will play a club game before Australia's tournament opener against South Africaon 24 July in Brisbane.
Hooker Tatafu Polota-Nau was not considered as he is awaiting ankle surgery later this month and neither were prop Ben Alexander (knee) and No.8 Stephen Hoiles (Achilles) after they recently underwent surgery.
With lingering fitness doubts over outside backs Peter Hynes and Digby Ioane, Deans announced 28 rather than 30 players on Thursday.
Australian Tri-Nations Squad: Adam Ashley-Cooper, Berrick Barnes, Kurtley Beale, Richard Brown, Luke Burgess, Mark Chisholm, Quade Cooper, Ben Daley, Rocky Elsom (capt), Anthony Faingaa, Saia Faingaa, Will Genia, Matt Giteau, Scott Higginbotham, Matt Hodgson, Rob Horne, Peter Hynes, Digby Ioane, Ben McCalman, Salesi Ma'afu, Stephen Moore, Dean Mumm, Jame O'Connor, David Pocock, Benn Robinson, Nathan Sharpe, Rob Simmons, James Slipper.
