 Samo has enjoyed a superb season with Super 12 champions ACT |
Australia have called up five uncapped players to a 27-man squad to take on Scotland in next month's Tests. Radike Samo, Mark Chisholm, Mark Gerrard, Clyde Rathbone and Nic Henderson have all been promoted to coach Eddie Jones' squad.
"We've picked the squad on form, from performances during the entire Super 12, but Test rugby is another level of intensity altogether," said Jones.
"I'm confident they have the ability to play at the next level."
Jones added: "We have 22 players who were involved in the World Cup last year and five new guys who'll add talent and enthusiasm to the squad."
Samo's inclusion is expected to provoke protests from Fiji after the lock was named in Wayne Pivac's Fiji squad at the weekend.
It has also raised questions over his move to Newcastle, with Jones keen to keep the player in Australia. Rathbone, meanwhile, has spurned overtures from his native South Africa, where he was a former Springboks Under-21 captain, in favour of Australia.
Rathbone has scored nine Super 12 tries on the wing for the Brumbies this season, although is also an option at outside centre with Stirling Mortlock sidelined for the first Test against Scotland on 13 June.
"I want to realise my potential as a player and I think there is more potential for me to do that if I stay in Australia," he said.
Several veteran players including flanker Owen Finegan and David Giffin have been overlooked for selection, although full-back Matt Burke retained his place.
Australia squad:
Backs: Matthew Burke, Elton Flatley, Mark Gerrard, Matt Giteau, George Gregan (captain), Stephen Larkham, Chris Latham, Clyde Rathbone, Joe Roff, Wendell Sailor, Lote Tuqiri, Morgan Turinui.
Forwards: Alastair Baxter, Brendan Cannon, Mark Chisholm, Matt Dunning, Justin Harrison, Nic Henderson, David Lyons, Jeremy Paul, John Roe, Radike Samo, Nathan Sharpe, George Smith, Daniel Vickerman, Phil Waugh, Bill Young
MMIX
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