Rugby: Samo among 15 Reds in Wallabies squad

Radike Samo. Photo / Getty Images

Veteran loose forward Radike Samo has been reactivated by the Wallabies as one of 15 triumphant Queensland Reds named in Australia's 40-man rugby test squad today.

Fijian-born Samo, who celebrated his 35th birthday with a Super Rugby title, is one of the big selection surprises along with Reds reserve hooker James Hanson and Melbourne Rebels utility back Mark Gerrard.

Wallabies coach Robbie Deans also found space for veteran second-rower Dan Vickerman despite a three-season hiatus, as well as fellow Waratahs forwards Sitaleki Timani and Dave Dennis.

But former Australian skippers Stirling Mortlock and Phil Waugh were notable omissions as expected, sounding the death knell on their World Cup dreams.

NSW Test backs Drew Mitchell, Rob Horne and Berrick Barnes, and Western Force No.8 Richard Brown were all left out due to injuries but Deans said they still remained in World Cup contention.

The Wallabies will announce their 30-man squad for the tournament, to be played from September 9 to October 23 in New Zealand, on August 18, midway through the Tri-Nations.

Rocky Elsom has retained the captaincy despite playing only one match for the Brumbies in an injury-riddled Super Rugby season.

Bolter Hanson, who came off the bench in the Reds' 18-13 final victory over the Crusaders on Saturday night, is one of seven uncapped players in the expanded Australian squad.

Among them are three of his Queensland teammates - flanker Beau Robinson and wingers Rod Davies and Luke Morahan - as well as Timani and Dennis, and Rebels halfback Nick Phipps.

But it is Samo who is the most remarkable story after being plucked out of semi-retirement in Sydney club rugby by Reds coach Ewen McKenzie at the end of last season.

The wild-haired No.8 played six Tests for the Wallabies in 2004 after being overlooked by Fiji for their 2003 World Cup squad despite being a star for the Brumbies.

With Brown and Wycliff Palu both struggling with injuries, Samo will be duelling with Force back-rower Ben McCalman and Reds flanker Scott Higginbotham for the Wallabies' No.8 jersey.

Deans said squad places for a full team of Reds were richly deserved for a fairytale season, capping an amazing two-year transformation from cellar-dwellers.

"That's fair reward for a great performances," he said.

"It was a great effort and we hope to run off that."

The squad will begin assembling in Sydney on Sunday afternoon ahead of next Saturday's opening Test against Samoa at ANZ Stadium.

Deans would not rule out including halves stars Will Genia and Quade Cooper and other Reds in his team to take on Samoa despite the Queensland team celebrating a ticker-tape parade through Brisbane on Monday when they will be handed the keys of the city.

"They won't want a week off," he said. "(But) we'll have those discussions."

Australia squad: Ben Alexander, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Kurtley Beale, Luke Burgess, Quade Cooper, Ben Daley, Rod Davies, Dave Dennis, Rocky Elsom (captain), Anthony Faingaa, Saia Faingaa, Will Genia, Mark Gerrard, Matt Giteau, James Hanson, Scott Higginbotham, Matt Hodgson, James Horwill, Digby Ioane, Sekope Kepu, Salesi Ma'afu, Pat McCabe, Ben McCalman, Stephen Moore, Luke Morahan, Dean Mumm, James O'Connor, Wycliff Palu, Nick Phipps, David Pocock, Tatafu Polota-Nau, Beau Robinson, Benn Robinson, Radike Samo, Nathan Sharpe, Rob Simmons, James Slipper, Sitaleki Timani, Lachie Turner, Dan Vickerman.


- AAP