Rugby: Waugh included in Wallabies squad

Phil Waugh will play for the Barbarians against the Wallabies next month. Photo / Getty Images

BRISBANE - Stalwart flanker Phil Waugh has been selected in a 29-man Wallabies squad but will be released to play for the Barbarians against both England and Australia.

The NSW skipper was chosen along with fellow openside breakaways George Smith and David Pocock after much speculation he would be overlooked for the extended test squad.

But he will not be available for the Wallabies' first match of 2009, instead turning out in opposition to them for the Barbarians in Sydney on June 6.

The 77-test back-rower will also play for the Barbarians against England in London next week.

"Phil was keen to play; he'd been invited and earned that honour. We see it as a win-win," said Wallabies coach Robbie Deans on Thursday.

"He is getting exposure in two more top-class games, and will be going head-to-head with the other flankers in our squad which is a great result for us."

The other surprises in the Australian squad were the inclusion of uncapped Western Force forwards Matt Hodgson and Pek Cowan.

Flanker Hodgson was rewarded for tenacity and effectiveness at the breakdown as well as his back-row versatility while Cowan beat the likes of Sekope Kepu and Guy Shepherdson to the fourth prop spot.

Teenage sensation James O'Connor, who looms as a possible starting fullback, was chosen among 14 backs in the squad instead of being sent to Japan for next month's under-20 world championship.

Mercurial Queensland Reds playmaker Quade Cooper, a revelation on last year's Spring Tour of Europe, was retained despite a form slide at the end of the Super 14.

Deans said the decision to go with 29 players instead of 30 reflected the make-up of the squad, with all positions adequately covered by the personnel available.

He indicated injured forwards such as Wycliff Palu, Mark Chisholm, Adam Freier and Matt Dunning could return to the squad in time for the Tri-Nations, or before, as they work their way back to fitness.

Wallabies
Backs - Josh Valentine, Luke Burgess, Matt Giteau, Berrick Barnes, Quade Cooper, Stirling Mortlock, Timana Tahu, Ryan Cross, Lote Tuqiri, Peter Hynes, Lachie Turner, Drew Mitchell, Adam Ashley-Cooper, James O'Connor.

Forwards - Benn Robinson, Ben Alexander, Al Baxter, Pek Cowan, Stephen Moore, Tatafu Polota-Nau, Nathan Sharpe, James Horwill, Peter Kimlin, Dean Mumm, Matt Hodgson, George Smith, David Pocock, Phil Waugh, Richard Brown.

- AAP