Twelve uncapped players have been included among a 40-man training squad that has been named for Australia’s seven-match tour of Hong Kong and Europe.
The newcomers are headlined by evergreen Queensland Reds lock Van Humphries, and the 34-year-old is the oldest player in the squad.
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The others fresh to the scene are the speedy Reds and ex-Australian Schoolboys wing Rod Davies, who was unavailable for selection earlier in the year due to a torn hamstring, Wallaby Sevens star Brackin Karauria-Henry, Western Force hooker Nathan Charles and lock Pat O’Connor.
While still to earn their Wallaby numbers by playing a Test for Australia; Mitchell Chapman, Dave Dennis, Kane Douglas, Scott Higginbotham, Richard Kingi, Pat McCabe and Matt Toomua have all had previous involvement, whether by touring with the national squad or by being involved in the Australian Barbarians programme against England earlier in the year.
Lock Mark Chisholm and centre Rob Horne (both injured) are the only players who appeared for Australia during the recent Tri-Nations who have not been named, aside from wing Lachie Turner who is away on national Sevens duty at the commonwealth Games.
According to Deans, the make-up of the training squad reflected the available resources, given the number of players with recent Wallabies experience currently injured.
“The fact that most of the uncapped blokes have at least had some time with us is a positive, in terms of their level of background,” he said.
“We are not totally starting at zero as far as their knowledge of our method and our environment is concerned.”
Deans says the selection of a 40-man group would allow a wider base of players to be exposed to the strategy and methodology that will be employed on the tour.
This would give the Wallabies a significant level of back-up depth should it be required.
“It’s a reality that not every player who attends the training camp over the next two weeks will go on the tour, but the time we spend together will still be invaluable for everyone involved,” said the Wallabies boss.
“Injuries have been a factor on the tours we’ve had previously, especially with the addition of the midweek fixtures. I’ve no doubt that the demanding schedule we have on this trip, with seven games in five weeks, will test us again.”
“Not only are the players who attend the training camp but don’t make the final touring squad in line for call ups if we have injuries, their involvement also potentially provides opportunities beyond that if they use the experience to their advantage.”
Deans cited Western Force forward Ben McCalman, who missed selection for last year’s tour after attending the training camp but is now Australia’s incumbent Test No.8, as an example of a player who benefitted from the training camp process.
“While Ben didn’t make the touring squad last year, he clearly gained confidence from the time spent at our training camp.
He then took that boost into both his maiden Super Rugby season earlier this year, and then into the Australian Barbarians and Wallaby programmes,” Deans said.
Unlike last year’s training camp, which was concluded with an opposed training session that replicated a trial, there will be no simulated ‘game’ to conclude this time.
“It isn’t needed,” explained Deans.
“We had two midweek matches on last year’s tour and the two-game Australian Barbarians programme earlier this year, as well as Super Rugby, with which to view and assess players.
“Our awareness of the talent available is much greater, as is the players’ knowledge of our systems, as is evidenced by the fact that only five of the guys named today haven’t been with us in some capacity previously.”
While injury remains a factor influencing selection, the Wallabies are at least able to welcome back props Ben Alexander and Sekope Kepu – both of whom missed nearly all of the domestic Test season due to injury.
Kepu was ruled out after being injured against the Brumbies midway through the 2010 Super 14, while Alexander damaged his knee in the Test season opener against Fiji in Canberra.
Australia: Ben Alexander, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Berrick Barnes, Kurtley Beale, Richard Brown, Luke Burgess, Nathan Charles, Mitchell Chapman, Quade Cooper, Ben Daley, Rod Davies, Dave Dennis, Kane Douglas, Huia Edmonds, Rocky Elsom, Anthony Faingaa, Saia Faingaa, Will Genia, Matt Giteau, Scott Higginbotham, Matt Hodgson, Peter Hynes, Van Humphries, Brackin Karauria-Henry, Sekope Kepu, Richard Kingi, Salesi Ma’afu, Pat McCabe, Ben McCalman, Drew Mitchell, Stephen Moore, Dean Mumm, James O’Connor, Pat O’Connor, David Pocock, Benn Robinson, Nathan Sharpe, Rob Simmons, James Slipper, Matt Toomua.
Players not considered due to injury: Will Chambers, Mark Chisholm, Stephen Hoiles, Rob Horne, James Horwill, Digby Ioane, Stirling Mortlock, Wycliff Palu, Tatafu Polota Nau.