Owen Finegan has emerged as the biggest omission from the Wallaby squad charged with retaining the Webb Ellis Trophy. The 55-cap veteran, who was a try-scorer in Australia's victory over France in the 1999 World Cup final, failed to prove his form during the Tri-Nations and was cut by coach Eddie Jones from the final 30.Prop Patricio Noriega and inside centre Steve Kefu were also left out by Jones, who announced his squad today.
Nathan Grey and Morgan Turinui were selected in the centres ahead of Kefu, while Jones opted for Noriega's NSW team-mates Al Baxter and the uncapped MattDunning to complete the prop quartet.
Uncapped Queensland loose forward John Roe was brought in as a replacement for injured vice-captain Toutai Kefu. Matt Cockbain had got the nod ahead of Finegan.
Jones also decided to share Kefu's vice-captaincy betweenDavid Giffin and Elton Flatley. Queensland inside centre/fly-half Flatley was dropped from the squad to play England in June when he slept in after a night on the town.
"The most difficult decision was Owen," Jones said. "He's been an outstanding player for Australia for a number of years. We felt we gave him the opportunity to get back where he needed to be but unfortunately he was just a little bit short on form."
The squad contains 10 members of the victorious 1999 squad, including captainGeorge Gregan, Matt Burke and Stephen Larkham, but has a sprinkling of brightyoung talent in Roe, Baxter, Dunning, open-side flanker David Croft and utilityback Matt Giteau.
Squad
Backs:Chris Latham (Queensland), Joe Roff (ACT), Matt Burke (NSW) Wendell Sailor (Queensland), Lote Tuqiri (NSW), Mat Rogers (NSW), Stirling Mortlock (ACT), Morgan Turinui (NSW), Nathan Grey (NSW), Elton Flatley (Queensland), Stephen Larkham (ACT), Matt Giteau (ACT) George Gregan (captain, ACT), Chris Whitaker (NSW).
Forwards:David Lyons (NSW), John Roe (Queensland), George Smith (ACT), Phil Waugh (NSW), David Croft (Queensland), Matt Cockbain (Queensland), David Giffin (ACT), Nathan Sharpe (Queensland), Dan Vickerman (NSW), Justin Harrison (NSW), Ben Darwin (ACT), Al Baxter (NSW), Bill Young (ACT), Matt Dunning (NSW), Brendan Cannon (NSW), Jeremy Paul (ACT).
Stand-by list:Glenn Panoho (Queensland), Adam Freier (NSW), Patricio Noriega (NSW), Owen Finegan (ACT), Daniel Heenan (Queensland), Scott Fava (ACT), Josh Valentine (Queensland), Steve Kefu (Queensland), Mark Gerrard (ACT).