Australia have named eight uncapped players in a new-look squad to tour Europe next month as part of an experiment to unearth fresh talent ahead of the 2007 World Cup.
Five new faces, Flanker Leroy Houston, centre/winger Digby Ioane, hooker Tatafu Polota-Nau, outside back Cameron Shepherd and lock Adam Wallace Harrison were all included in the 31-man squad for the first time.
The squad also included uncapped forwards Scott Fava, David Fitter and Greg Holmes as well as the relatively inexperienced Lloyd Johansson, Rocky Elsom and Hugh McMeniman.
"We've selected eight players who are uncapped at Test level and a further eight with less than 10 caps to their name," Australia coach Eddie Jones said in a statement yesterday.
"When you balance this with the experience of captain George Gregan and a dozen players who have been regulars in the Test squad for the last four years, it certainly makes for an exciting mix."
With five straight defeats, the Wallabies are mired in their worst losing streak since 1969 and have been forced to make wholesale changes because of a massive injury list that sidelined 14 players including David Lyons, Clyde Rathbone, Stephen Larkham, Elton Flatley, Stirling Mortlock, Jeremy Paul, Bill Young and Ben Tune.
The Australians will play Tests against France, Wales, England and Ireland on the tour.
SQUAD: G Gregan (capt), A Baxter, B Cannon, M Chisholm, M Dunning, R Elsom, S Fava, D Fitter, A Freier, M Gerrard, M Giteau, M Henjak, G Holmes, L Houston, D Ioane, L Johansson, C Latham, H McMeniman, D Mitchell, T Polota-Nau, J Roe, M Rogers, W Sailor, N Sharpe, C Shepherd, G Smith, L Tuqiri, M Turinui, A Wallace-Harrison, P Waugh, C Whitaker.
