Coach Eddie Jones is without several of his regular backs
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Australia's rugby selectors have
named an experimental squad, including three uncapped players,
for next month's test against Ireland.
Former rugby league international Lote Tuqiri, Waratahs
centre Morgan Turinui and ACT Brumbies number eight Scott Fava are all included in a 24-man Wallabies squad.
Coach Eddie Jones had been forced to choose a new-look squad
because of injuries but said he welcomed the chance to blood new
players before the World Cup next October.
"It's a great opportunity," Jones said. "We're going to see
people getting exposed to Test rugby that mightn't have been
exposed in the first place".
Nine key Wallabies - Matthew Burke, Owen Finegan, Matt
Giteau, Daniel Herbert, Stephen Larkham, Stirling Mortlock, Mat
Rogers, Ben Tune and Andrew Walker - were not considered for
the match because of injury.
About half of those should be available for the following
internationals against Wales (14 June) and England (21 June)
with everyone else, barring Tune and Mortlock, back in time for
the Tri-Nations series with New Zealand and South Africa.
We've got to be good enough to develop
plans and strategies for the World Cup
Australia coach Eddie Jones
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"These first three Tests are about sorting out selection
then hopefully when we've got everyone on deck we'll be able to
then start making the team," Jones said.
Tuquiri, the latest in a long line of former rugby league
internationals, earned his place as a winger after a fine debut
season for the Waratahs.
Turinui, a former Australian under-21 representative, was
impressive at outside centre while Fava was picked in the back
row ahead of 1999 World Cup member Matt Cockbain.
Jones said he would announce the final starting 15 to take
on the Irish in Perth on 7 June next week but said he was
keen to field as many players as possible.
The coach also warned against focusing everything on the World
Cup, saying it was important for the Wallabies to win their
lead-up matches if they wanted to retain the Web Ellis Cup.
"The expectation of the Australian public and the team is to
win but at the same time we've got to be good enough to develop
plans and strategies for the World Cup".
Australian squad: George Gregan (captain), Brendan Cannon, Ben Darwin,
Scott Fava, Elton Flatley, David Giffin, Nathan Grey, Steve
Kefu, Toutai Kefu, Chris Latham, David Lyons, Patricio Noriega,
Glenn Panoho, Jeremy Paul, Joe Roff, Wendell Sailor, Nathan
Sharpe, George Smith, Lote Tuqiri, Morgan Turinui, Daniel
Vickerman, Phil Waugh, Chris Whitaker, Bill Young.
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