SYDNEY, Australia - Wallabies boss Michael Cheika Wednesday named five potential debutants in his 32-man squad to face Six Nations champions Ireland next month, including young guns Jack Maddocks and Tom Banks.
Australia host the Irish on three consecutive Saturdays from June 9 in Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney, and Cheika has admitted he is wary of them, with hard work needed to counter the threat.
Melbourne Rebels' utility Maddocks got the nod after a superb season on the wing, scoring eight tries so far, while fast-emerging Brumbies fullback Banks also made the grade.
Queensland Reds' Caleb Timu was another to receive a maiden Wallabies squad call-up.
He was among just five backrowers, including skipper Michael Hooper, Ned Hanigan -- who won't be fit for the first Test -- Lukhan Tui, and David Pocock.
But there was no room for Crusaders flanker Pete Samu, who was unveiled on Tuesday as a Brumbies contracted player from next year, becoming eligible to play for the Wallabies.
He is still contracted to New Zealand and there was hope the Melbourne-born player would be granted clearance to represent Australia, but New Zealand Rugby has so far failed to issue such clearance.
Lock Rory Arnold was named, despite serving a three-week ban which rules him out of contention for the first Test.
Brandon Paenga-Amosa was another to get a first call-up, as was Folau Fainga’a, with the pair benefitting from Tatafu Polota-Nau being rested and Stephen Moore retiring.
Twice-capped Jordan Uelese was also included after recovering from a shoulder injury, but it is an inexperienced trio of hookers.
It's been a rapid rise for Paenga-Amosa, who was playing Sydney club rugby barely a year ago.
"For me, a guy who's come out of club rugby... then he played in the NRC, got his opportunity out there, was spotted by the Reds and has taken that opportunity with both hands," said Cheika.
"Now his challenge will be to get himself in the match 23."
The wing spots were among the most-hotly contested, with Maddocks and Banks beating out the seasoned Henry Speight and Queensland's Izaia Perese.
"I think it was just really tight," Cheika said.
"We've got very, very good attacking wingers and we look at the all-round components to make sure that we're solid in relation to our 'D' and also our kicking game and the kicking game that will be coming from Ireland to us."
Regulars Bernard Foley, Will Genia, Kurtley Beale, Israel Folau, and Dane Haylett-Petty head up the backs.
Australia play Ireland in Brisbane on June 9, Melbourne on June 16 and Sydney on June 23.
Australia squad:
Forwards - Sekope Kepu, Tom Robertson, Scott Sio, Taniela Tupou, Allan Alaalatoa, Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Jordan Uelese, Izack Rodda, Folau Fainga’a, Rory Arnold, Adam Coleman, Rob Simmons, Michael Hooper (capt), David Pocock, Caleb Timu, Lukhan Tui, Ned Hanigan.
Backs - Bernard Foley, Will Genia, Tom Banks, Kurtley Beale, Israel Folau, Dane Haylett-Petty, Reece Hodge, Samu Kerevi, Marika Koroibete, Tevita Kuridrani, Jack Maddocks, Sefa Naivalu, Nick Phipps, Joe Powell, Curtis Rona.