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SYDNEY - George Gregan has been sacked as Wallabies rugby captain for the 2007 international season, ending his record run as Australia's longest serving test skipper.
The 34-year-old halfback was selected in a 30-man squad for Australia's seven tests leading up to this year's World Cup but not as captain.
Centre Stirling Mortlock and openside flanker Phil Waugh will share the leadership role as co-captains.
Both made their captaincy debut for the Wallabies on last year's end of season tour to Europe which Gregan chose to miss.
Gregan is the world's most capped player with 127 test appearances and has led Australia a record 58 times, three more than his predecessor John Eales, who retired in 2001.
Gregan and first five-eighth Stephen Larkham, his long-time teammate, are retiring from international rugby after this year's World Cup, and coach John Connolly said both players deserved an emotional send-off.
"There's no doubt that we are seeing the end of two outstanding careers and rugby supporters and sporting fans around the country will rally to pay tribute to two of the game's greatest ever players," Connolly said.
"A series win over Wales and a Tri-Nations victory would provide a fitting farewell for George and Stephen as they play their final season in Australia before embarking on the World Cup."
The Australian squad included four uncapped players, forward James Horwill and backs Julian Huxley, Digby Ioane and Sam Norton-Knight, and 13 players under 25 years of age.
The squad was chosen for two matches against Wales one against Fiji and the annual home-and-away Tri-Nations tests against New Zealand and South Africa.
The selectors also picked a 25-man Australia A squad for the Pacific Nations Cup to give as many players as possible the chance to press their claims for inclusion in the World Cup squad, which will be announced after the Tri-Nations finishes in July.
"Everything we do between now and September is geared towards our over-arching goal to win the World Cup," Connolly said.
"But first we have a tough domestic season ahead of us and we are very much focused on a successful campaign.
"The Tri-Nations is of vital importance and we are looking to get the edge on Wales ahead of our meeting at the World Cup in September."
- REUTERS
