By Ian Ransom
MELBOURNE (Reuters) - Australia coach Michael Cheika has included five uncapped players in his 32-man squad for the Ireland series but loose forward Pete Samu remains in limbo pending a release from New Zealand Rugby.
With former captain Stephen Moore retired and Tatafu Polota-Nau rested, the Wallabies will field a rookie hooker, with Brandon Paenga-Amosa and Folau Fainga'a seeking test debuts behind the twice-capped Jordan Uelese.
Melbourne-born Samu, who plays for Super Rugby champions Canterbury Crusaders, was excluded from the squad named on Wednesday but Cheika said the untried 26-year-old could be a late addition if released from his New Zealand Rugby contract.
"I've been told at this point we can't select him but there is a spot for him," Cheika told reporters on a conference call.
"At this point, it's in others' hands... I'm not really involved in that part of it but I'm hoping there will be some more clarity on that tomorrow."
In Samu's absence, Caleb Timu is in line for a maiden test appearance, slotting into a back row alongside David Pocock and captain Michael Hooper.
Blindside flanker Ned Hanigan has been named but will miss at least the first test as he recovers from a knee injury, and Cheika was cagey about his favoured back row combination.
"Whether (Pocock) wears seven, six or eight, he will have his standard floating role," he said of the veteran ball-poacher.
"So he can do exactly what he does best... He's always straight into his strong points."
Pocock's speedy ACT Brumbies team mate Tom Banks has a chance to make his test debut in the outside backs, along with uncapped Melbourne Rebel Jack Maddocks.
With Super Rugby scheduled on the weekend, the Wallabies will have less than a week to prepare for the June 9 opener in Brisbane against the Six Nations champions, who are riding a 12-match winning streak and bidding for their first test and series victory in Australia since 1979.
Complicating matters, the Canberra-based Brumbies have refused a request from Cheika and Rugby Australia to rest three of their Wallabies -- Pocock, and props Allan Alaalatoa and Scott Sio -- from Sunday's home match against the Sunwolves.
"Common sense will tell you that a six-day preparation for a test match is not ideal," Cheika said. "I'm hoping we can work it out together."
Meanwhile, scrumhalf Will Genia has been named in the squad despite missing a month of Super Rugby with a knee injury.
Wallabies squad:
Forwards: Allan Alaalatoa, Rory Arnold, Adam Coleman, Folau Fainga'a, Ned Hanigan, Michael Hooper (captain), Sekope Kepu, Brandon Paenga-Amosa, David Pocock, Tom Robertson, Rob Simmons, Scott Sio, Izack Rodda, Caleb Timu, Lukhan Tui, Taniela Tupou, Jordan Uelese.
Backs: Tom Banks, Kurtley Beale, Israel Folau, Bernard Foley, Will Genia, Dane Haylett-Petty, Reece Hodge, Samu Kerevi, Marika Koroibete, Tevita Kuridrani, Jack Maddocks, Sefanaia Naivalu, Nick Phipps, Joe Powell, Curtis Rona.
ADVERTISEMENT(Editing by John O'Brien)