Victorious Reds rewarded in Wallaby squad

Seven uncapped players were among a Queensland Reds-dominated 40-man Wallabies' squad named for this month's Tri-Nations and a Test against Samoa. Australia coach Robbie Deans included uncapped Rod Davies, Dave Dennis, James Hanson, Luke Morahan, Nick Phipps, Beau Robinson and Sitaleki Timani in his initial squad for the Wallabies' international season. The Reds, who beat the Canterbury Crusaders 18-13 in Saturday's Super 15 final in Brisbane for their inaugural Super Rugby championship, have been rewarded with 15 players selected in the squad. Alongside Reds stars including Quade Cooper and Will Genia were several surprise choices, including number eight Radike Samo, openside flanker Robinson and hooker Hanson. Melbourne Rebels utility back Mark Gerrard is back in the squad for the first time since 2007, with lock Dan Vickerman also returning after recently returning from studying in England. But there was no room for 2007 World Cup captain Stirling Mortlock and NSW Waratahs warhorse flanker Phil Waugh, who is in his farewell season. Deans said the enlarged squad was named with an eye on this year's World Cup where 30 players will represent Australia at the New Zealand tournament. Two Test incumbents, winger Drew Mitchell and inside centre Berrick Barnes, have been omitted for now due to the uncertain timelines surrounding their rehabilitation from injury. "In terms of the players who are currently on the sidelines, we won't be rushing any of them," Deans said. "But we need to get them all started, in terms of being exposed to all of the detail, as part of our preparation. "That's one of the reasons why we have opted for an enlarged squad at this point," he said. "The expansion of Super Rugby and this year's World Cup has condensed the schedule significantly which has placed an even greater importance on making sure that we have covered all selection-related eventualities, as there isn't a lot of time between matches. "To that end, we want the guys to be playing so, as we have done in previous years, we will be looking to have as many of the players playing as is possible by releasing them to their clubs where we can." The Wallabies open their season against Samoa in Sydney next Sunday ahead of their first Tri-Nations Test against South Africa in Sydney on July 23.