Cross-code convert Israel Folau has been named in Australia’s preliminary 30-man squad ahead of the Lions tour.
The Waratahs ace switched to the 15-man game ahead of this season, following a stint in Aussie Rules.
He is one of seven uncapped players in Robbie Deans’ Wallabies squad but the likes of experienced quartet Sekope Kepu, Drew Mitchell, Quade Cooper and Nick Phipp all miss out.
The squad meet in Sydney to fulfill off-field requirements and team planning ahead of the arrival of Warren Gatland’s men.
“Qantas Wallabies coach Robbie Deans says the gathering, which concludes on Monday afternoon, will allow the players to complete the team’s pre-Lions commercial obligations, with some specific rugby-related planning also part of the assembly,” read a Wallabies statement.
“He said exclusion from the selection 'did not' rule players out of participation in the Lions Test series, adding that a 'wide net' had been spread through the three logistics camps held, with 50 players in attendance in January, while 30 gathered at the second two-day assembly in February.
“The inclusion of seven uncapped players in this latest gathering was indicative of the selector’s desire to have as many players prepared, should they be required, as was possible.”
A squad of 25 players will go into a further Wallabies camp on May 18, with an additional six players linking up following the Super Rugby break.
The final Wallabies squad will then be announced on June 11, less than two weeks ahead of the first test.
Wallabies preliminary squad – Jesse Mogg (Brumbies), Israel Folau (Waratahs), Digby Ioane (Reds), Joe Tomane (Brumbies), Adam Ashley-Cooper (Waratahs), Ben Tapuai (Reds), Pat McCabe (Brumbies), Christian Lealiifano (Brumbies), Berrick Barnes (Waratahs), James O’Connor (Rebels), Nic White (Brumbies), Will Genia (Reds), Wycliff Palu (Waratahs), Fotu Auelua (Brumbies), Michael Hooper (Waratahs), Liam Gill (Reds), Dave Dennis (Waratahs), Scott Higginbotham (Rebels), Ben Mowen (Brumbies), Rob Simmons (Reds), James Horwill (Reds), Kane Douglas (Waratahs), Sitaleki Timani (Waratahs), Dan Palmer (Brumbies), James Slipper (Reds), Ben Alexander (Brumbies), Benn Robinson (Waratahs), Scott Sio (Brumbies), Stephen Moore (Brumbies), Tatafu Polota-Nau (Waratahs)
