New faces for Wallabies

Australia selectors have named 12 uncapped players in an extended 40-man training squad ahead of the upcoming spring tour of Hong Kong and Europe.

Evergreen Reds lock Van Humphries, who is the oldest player named at 34, is among the new faces.

Humphries, a former Waratah who first made his state debut a decade ago, missed out on national selection earlier in the year after suffering an ankle injury late in the Super 14 season.

Reds team-mate Rod Davies, who was also unavailable for selection earlier in the year due to a torn hamstring, Australian sevens representative Brackin Karauria-Henry, Western Force hooker Nathan Charles and ex-Queensland and Waratahs-bound second row Pat O’Connor will also get their first taste of Wallabies training in the coming fortnight.

Australia coach Robbie Deans urged the new faces to make the most of their opportunity to impress in the next two weeks.

“It’s a reality that not every player who attends the training camp over the next two weeks will go on the spring tour, but the time we spend together will still be invaluable for everyone involved,” he said.

“Injuries have been a factor on the spring 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.”

The squad will be trimmed to a final touring party of 36 on October 14.

The Wallabies will play Tests against New Zealand, Wales, England, Italy and France as well as midweek fixtures against Leicester and Munster.

Lock Mark Chisholm and centre Rob Horne are the only players who appeared for Australia during the Tri Nations tournament not named due to injury, while winger Lachie Turner is away on national Sevens duty and will be considered for the final squad.

Will Chambers, Stephen Hoiles, James Horwill, Digby Ioane, Stirling Mortlock, Wycliff Palu and Tatafu Polota Nau are also on the wounded list and were not considered.

While injury remains a factor influencing selection, the Wallabies are boosted by the return of props Ben Alexander and Sekope Kepu who both missed nearly all of the domestic Test season due to injury.

Kepu was ruled out after being injured against the Brumbies midway through Super rugby, while Alexander damaged his knee in the Test season opener against Fiji in Canberra.

Australia training squad: 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 (c), 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.