Queensland backrower John Roe is the only uncapped player in defending champion Australia's 30-man squad named yesterday for the Rugby World Cup.
Notable absentees from the squad are long-serving loose forward Owen Finegan and props Patricio Noriega and Glenn Panoho.
Finegan, a 55-test veteran, was a key performer in Australia's 1999 triumph but after returning from a shoulder reconstruction failed to convince the selectors he deserved a spot.
Roe he gets his chance in the Oct. 10 to Nov. 22 tournament in Australia after No. 8 Toutai Kefu was ruled out with a shoulder injury earlier in the week.
"While I'm obviously thrilled and very excited to be part of the World Cup my thoughts are really with Toutai and I feel very sorry for him," Roe said.
Roe's fellow Queenslanders David Croft and 1999 World Cup winner Matt Cockbain were also named in the squad after being on the outer during the Wallabies' seven tests this year.
Cockbain's selection comes just 48 hours after his brother Brent was named in the Welsh World Cup squad.
"I've tasted it in 1999 and I can't wait to play in it again," Matt Cockbain said. "The World Cup is every rugby player's dream."
Utility back Elton Flatley and lock David Giffin were named as George Gregan's two deputies in the squad, promoted after the injury to vice-captain Kefu.
For Flatley it marks a major turnabout after he was dumped from the team to play England for disciplinary reasons.
Coach Eddie Jones said Thursday that selecting the squad was the toughest job of his rugby career.
"The most difficult choice was omitting Owen Finegan," said Jones.
"Owen's been a great servant for the Wallabies but we've given him every opportunity to recapture top form since returning from a shoulder injury, unfortunately it wasn't enough."
Former Wallabies captain John Eales said the changes to the squad only five weeks from the World Cup isn't a sign of panic.
"Eddie [Jones] is not the type of guy to panic," Eales said. ``He's a very considered guy, he would have a lot of rhyme and reason behind his selections.''
Eales, who played in both Australia's World Cup wins in 1991 and 1999, said he felt sorry for the players who missed out.
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