Neither Owen Finegan nor Steve Kefu have made the cut

Inside centre Steve Kefu, the brother of injured Wallabies vice-captain Toutai, has also been omitted, as selectors gambled on a youthful 30-man squad.

David Lyons has been chosen to replace Toutai Kefu, who was forced to withdraw from the tournament with a cracked shoulder blade.

John Roe, David Croft and Matt Cockbain, none of whom has featured in the Wallabies colours this season, have been picked ahead of Finegan.

Nathan Grey and Morgan Turinui join Elton Flatley as the three specialist inside centres and the selectors have gambled on just two specialist hookers and two scrum-halfs.

Goal-kicking centre Stirling Mortlock and utility back Joe Roff both make the cut along with the trio of former rugby league internationals Wendell Sailor, Mat Rogers and Lote Tuqiri.

Australia open the tournament on 10 October against Argentina and have been grouped in Pool A alongside Ireland, Romania and Namibia.

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).