21 May 2009

Waugh included in Wallabies squad

1:27 pm on 21 May 2009

The Wallabies flanker Phil Waugh has been selected in a 29-man squad despite speculation in Australia that coach Robbie Deans would drop the 77 test veteran.

However the New South Wales Waratahs skipper will be released to play for the Barbarians against England and Australia.

Deans says it's a win-win as Waugh will get two more top-class games, and go head-to-head with George Smith and David Pocock in Sydney on June 6.

The other surprises are the inclusion of uncapped Western Force forwards, flanker Matt Hodgson and prop Pek Cowan.

The rest of the squad is Benn Robinson, Ben Alexander, Al Baxter, Stephen Moore, Tatafu Polota-Nau, Nathan Sharpe, James Horwill, Peter Kimlin, Dean Mumm, Richard Brown , Josh Valentine, Luke Burgess, Matt Giteau, Berrick Barnes, Quade Cooper, Stirling Mortlock (capt), Timana Tahu, Ryan Cross, Lote Tuqiri, Peter Hynes, Lachie Turner, Drew Mitchell, Adam Ashley-Cooper, James O'Connor.