Summary Deans insisted there was no lingering bad blood and Cooper may still have a Wallabies future.
SYDNEY (AP) - Rugby convert Israel Folau was included in the 25-man Wallabies squad on Sunday to take on the British and Irish Lions in a three-test series starting next month, with Quade Cooper the most notable omission
for now.
James O Connor, Berrick Barnes and Christian Lealiifano were all included in the squad as options at No. 10 or 12 for coach Robbie Deans, although there s still room for a recall for Cooper with six more players to be added to the squad on June 11.
Barnes hasn t been able to force his way back into the New South Wales starting lineup since returning from injury last month, but has proven himself as a playmaker and reliable defender in the international arena.
Cooper continues to pay the price for criticizing the Wallabies and Deans last year with his public remarks about the "toxic environment" in the squad, being left out despite his strong halves partnership with Queensland teammate Will Genia and impressive form for the Reds in recent rounds of Super Rugby.
Deans insisted there was no lingering bad blood and Cooper may still have a Wallabies future.
"People will say that s the end for Quade, but that s not the case," Deans said. "I ve selected him on 38 occasions. He s had a lot of faith and support from me. To suggest otherwise is nonsense."
The coach said the fact Cooper defends at fullback instead flyhalf for the Reds counted against his chances of selection against the big, powerful Lions.
"We would like to see Quade defend in the front line, we want to see him assert himself," Deans said.
Cooper was Deans first-choice flyhalf in the lead-up to and during the 2011 World Cup in New Zealand, but had a tournament to forget under intense scrutiny in the host nation and finished up with a season-ending knee injury in the third-place playoff match.
After a slow start to the 2013 season, Cooper has been in mercurial form in recent weeks since he revived his halves pairing with Genia, leading to calls for him to be recalled to the Wallabies playmaking role.
Folau, Lealiifano and ACT Brumbies captain Ben Mowen are the three uncapped players in the squad.
Folau formerly played rugby league for Queensland and Australia before a controversial, and relatively underwhelming, switch to Australian Rules football in a brief cameo season for a new club. He switched again to rugby union this season but has quickly adapted to the 15-a-side game and has starred for New South Wales, scoring seven tries.
The captain will be named when Deans finalizes his squad on June 11, but it is widely expected to be lock James Horwill.
Deans said he has confidence in the makeup of his squad, believing it covers all bases.
"We understand what s coming and that the Lions have a very experienced combination," he said. "They have a physical side, particularly in the backline so we have to deal with that and bring something of our own. We believe we have put together a group that can cater for both elements."
It remains unclear what plans Deans has for incumbent fullback Kurtley Beale of the Melbourne Rebels, who is not playing while he undergoes rehabilitation treatment to overcome issues with alcohol.
"He s taken the initiative to put himself through a rehab process and that s a great step," Deans said. "It s a great piece of encouragement to be honest. So he s got a chance."
With veteran George Smith injuring his left knee on the weekend and David Pocock out for the season, Deans and his fellow selectors opted for Liam Gill and Michael Hooper as his openside flankers.
"Initial indications are that he will be ruled out for the series," Deans said of Smith, who hurt his knee playing for the Brumbies against New South Wales on Saturday. He played 110 tests for the Wallabies before retiring from international rugby, only to be lured back this season for a second shot at the Lions.
Queensland Reds hooker Saia Faingaa was included as Stephen Moore s back-up after Tatafu Polota-Nau of the Waratahs suffered a broken arm in his team s 28-22 win over the Brumbies.
The Lions will play nine matches in Australia, starting against the Western Force in Perth on June 5. The three test matches will be in Brisbane on June 22, Melbourne on June 29 and Sydney on July 6.
Since beating South Africa 2-1 in 1997, the Lions have suffered a string of southern hemisphere series losses against Australia in 2001, New Zealand in 2005 and South Africa in 2009.
Deans said the three-week preparation time before the Brisbane test will be critical for his squad.
"You only have to look back to the experience in 2001, where Australia lost the first test, to see the consequence of a compromised preparation," Deans said.
Deans added that the makeup of the 25-man roster was difficult to finalize.
"There were a lot of hard phone calls made last night and this morning," Deans said. "Today is not the end of it for players who haven t been named.
"There are six more places to be filled in the squad while every Super Rugby player in Australia will have the opportunity to play international rugby against the Lions ... it s an exciting time."
