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Dave Rennie always promised to work on form and he was true to his word.
World Cup wallaby Reece Hodge was left out, while rising talent Fraser McReight was also left out as Rennie named his 35-man squad for the three-game Test series against England in July.
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Both men are expected to be named for Australia A when Rugby Australia names a 30-man squad for the Pacific Nations Cup, where they will play Folaus Tonga against Fiji, Samoa and Israel.
One Wallabies regular who will not be in either roster is Izack Rodda, who was named due to injury.
Rennie said there probably wouldn’t be any bolters, and there aren’t.
Six uncapped players have been named, led by Suliasi Vunivalu, who is unsure if he will face the Eddie Jones-led England side in Perth on July 2.
The former NRL Premiership winner missed the first half of the season with a hamstring injury and after a slow start the damaging winger, considered by Wallabies officials to be the best athlete in Australian rugby history, was buzzing by the end of the season.
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Waratah’s duo Dave Porecki (hooker) and Jed Holloway (lock flanker) are also newcomers, both of whom will make their debuts in the series.
Brumbies’ second row duo of Nick Frost and Cadeyrn Neville have also been included and their superb performances against the Blues during the Brumbies’ heartbreaking 20-19 Super Rugby semi-final defeat will also be close to making their debut.
Pone Fa’amausili has also been included and should Taniela Tupou be deemed unfit after a calf injury, the injury-plagued Rebels pusher could come off the bench.
Six props have been named, including the well-deserved return of Scott Sio. The 30-year-old returned to his best form after years of inconsistency and was able to edge James Slipper for a place in the squad.
As forecast, three hookers have been named, with Folau Fainga’a likely to be pushing Porecki for a spot. Lachlan Lonergan, who scored twice off the bench for the Brumbies in Saturday’s semifinals, was also named.
As predicted, Japan-based trio Quade Cooper, Samu Kerevi and Marika Koroibete are likely to take on England.
The form of Tom Wright, who has been one of the most consistent of the Brumbies in 2022, has meant the full-back was picked ahead of Hodge, who has had a terrible start to the year.
Nonetheless, for a man who has played more than 50 Tests and has been Mr Fit It since debuting in 2016, his ax is telling.
It shows just how deep Australian rugby is going as Hodge has never secured a spot as dependable and dependable as he has been.
Kurtley Beale is also not in the squad as the three-time World Cup wallaby was not selected after missing months in the French top 14. He could still be considered for the rugby championship.
“The core of this squad is a group who have provided strong performances for us over the past two seasons, while strong form in Super Rugby Pacific has been rewarded with a handful of new faces,” Rennie said in a statement.
“In the past two years we have been able to build a strong foundation as a group but there is no doubt that we have much more in us.
“We look forward to working hard and preparing as a group to produce performances against England next month that will make our fans proud.”
Rennie will address the media at 11pm at Sydney Cricket Ground, which will host the third Test on July 16.
FULL TEAM
Allan Alaalatoa (28, Brumbies, 53 Tests)
Tom Banks (27, Brumbies, 19 Tests)
Angus Bell (21, NSW Waratahs, 16 Tests)
Quad Cooper (34, Kintetsu liner, 75 tests)
Pone Fa’amausili (25, Melbourne Rebels, uncapped)
Folau Fainga’a (27, Brumbies, 25 Tests)
Nick Frost (22, brumbies, capless)
Jake Gordon (28, NSW Waratahs, 10 Tests)
Michael Hooper (c) (30, NSW Waratahs, 118 Tests)
Jed Holloway (29, NSW Waratahs, uncapped)
Len Ikitau (23, Brumbies, 13 Tests)
Andrew Kellaway (26, Melbourne Rebels, 13 Tests)
Samu Kerevi (28, Suntory Sungoliath, 38 Tests)
Marika Koroibete (29, Saitama Wild Knights, 42 Tests)
Rob Leota (25, Melbourne Rebels, 6 Tests)
Noah Lolesio (22, Brumbies, 9 Tests)
Lachlan Lonergan (22, Brumbies, 4 Tests)
Tate McDermott (23, Queensland Reds, 15 Tests)
Cadeyrn Neville (33, brumbies, uncapped)
James O’Connor (31, Queensland Reds, 61 Tests)
Hunter Paisami (24, Queensland Reds, 15 Tests)
Izaia Perese (25, NSW Waratahs, 2 Tests)
Jordan Petaia (22, Queensland Reds, 16 Tests)
Matt Philip (28, Melbourne Rebels, 20 Tests)
David Porecki (29, NSW Waratahs, uncapped)
Pete Samu (30, Brumbies, 19 Tests)
Scott Sio (30, Brumbies, 69 Tests)
James Slipper (33, Brumbies, 114 Tests)
Darcy Swain (24, Brumbies, 10 Tests)
Taniela Tupou (26, Queensland Reds, 38 Tests)
Rob Valetini (23, Brumbies, 18 Tests)
Suliasi Vunivalu (26, Queensland Reds, uncapped)
Nic White (31, Brumbies, 47 Tests)
Harry Wilson (22, Queensland Reds, 10 Tests)
Tom Wright (24, Brumbies, 10 Tests)