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BRISBANE - Stirling Mortlock will lead the Wallabies to the 2007 Rugby World Cup after changing the opinions of Australia's selectors with an inspirational Tri-Nations series.
Mortlock, seen to be warming the hot seat for former skipper George Gregan a month ago, pipped the 134-Test halfback for the captaincy of Australia's 30-man squad on Monday after hitting career-best form.
Before the 20-15 upset of the All Blacks in Melbourne on June 29, Gregan was all but locked in to skipper Australia in his record-breaking fourth World Cup.
But outside centre Mortlock's courageous match-winning MCG performance and similarly-powerful games and mature leadership against the Springboks and New Zealand this month turned opinions.
Former skipper Gregan was announced as one of 60-Test veteran Mortlock's two vice-captains, along with flanker Phil Waugh, at the John Eales Medal Dinner in Brisbane.
Wallabies coach John Connolly said 30-year-old Mortlock's recent form and growing stature in the team showed he was "the right man for the job".
"Stirling embraced the captaincy role during the Tri-Nations and really led from the front with his performances on the field," said Connolly.
"He's a player that the other players enjoy playing with and his leadership has grown immensely during the season.
"Our leadership group is very strong in our team at the moment. A number of the senior players have taken a lot of responsibility and Stirling has had a very good support from the likes of the Gregans, Waughs, George Smiths and Stephen Larkhams."
The 30-man squad contained just one minor surprise with David Lyons named along with fellow injured NSW No.8 Wycliff Palu (shoulder).
Lyons, who is battling a blood clot in his leg, was included at the expense of Queensland lock James Horwill who may still get a call-up if either of the powerful No.8s succumb to injury.
Up to four shadow players will be announced in the coming days as stand-bys for the battling duo.
Matt Cockbain, a member of the 1999 World Cup winning side, is believed to be a chance of a surprise call-up as cover for the backrowers.
Queensland five-eighth Berrick Barnes, 20, won the 13th and last backline position ahead of Sam Norton-Knight to be the youngest and only uncapped member of the squad.
In the most debated choice, Connolly and fellow selectors Michael O'Connor and Scott Johnson chose to overlook Barnes' 2007 form for the struggling Reds to install him as a back-up to Larkham.
"He played quite well at times last year and that held him in good stead and we spoke to him and he said he was very disappointed with the way he played this year for various reasons," Connolly said.
"At Queensland the environment wasn't too good for him and we think he's got some potential."
Arguably the toughest cut was made on Waratahs prop Benn Robinson, a Test squad member for 12 months, who missed out to Greg Holmes after the Queenslander played just three club matches back from shoulder surgery.
Holmes' superior size and the form which saw him crowned the 2006 Wallabies rookie of the year earned his ticket.
Holmes' Reds teammate and 130kg cult hero Rodney Blake was overlooked due to Al Baxter's ability to scrum at both tighthead and loosehead.
Sean Hardman's experience and set-piece reliability saw him gain a fairytale selection as the third hooker ahead of raw talent Tatafu Polota-Nau.
"We need someone to step into the breach at a moment's notice and we saw last year and this year against South Africa (Hardman) slipped straight in off the bench," Connolly said.
Gregan will become the first Australian to play four RWC tournaments when the competition kicks off on September 7 in France.
Wallabies' World Cup squad:
Fullbacks - Chris Latham, Julian Huxley.
Wingers - Lote Tuqiri, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Drew Mitchell, Mark Gerrard
Centres - Stirling Mortlock (capt), Scott Staniforth, Matt Giteau.
Five-Eighths - Berrick Barnes, Stephen Larkham.
Halfbacks - George Gregan (v-c), Sam Cordingley.
No.8s - Wycliff Palu, David Lyons, Stephen Hoiles.
Flankers - George Smith, Phil Waugh (v-c), Rocky Elsom, Hugh McMeniman.
Locks - Dan Vickerman, Nathan Sharpe, Mark Chisholm.
Props - Guy Shepherdson, Al Baxter, Matt Dunning, Greg Holmes.
Hookers - Stephen Moore, Adam Freier, Sean Hardman.
- AAP
