Australian third test hero Justin Harrison has been left out of the Wallabies squad for Saturday's Tri Nations rugby match againstSouth Africa in Pretoria.
The squad, which leaves for South Africa on Tuesday, was reduced to 26 players Monday with the ACT Brumbies pair of lock Harrison and injured centreJames Holbeck left behind.
World Cup-winning lock David Giffin returns from injury forcing new coach Eddie Jones to omit Harrison, who was the star of the Wallabies'series-clinching win over the British and Irish Lions in Sydney over a week ago.
Jones opted to take an extra loose forward to South Africa as a back-up to Giffin, who didn't play in the final international against the Lions.
"It is a very tough decision with Justin," Jones said. "In the end it's not really a decision on whether he's the best lock it's a decision on who gives us the most flexibility and versatility in the squadgiven that we are going to South Africa."
The final 22-man squad, including the starting 15, will be announced in Pretoria on Wednesday.
Australia(squad) - (forwards) Nick Stiles, Bill Young, Michael Foley, Brendan Cannon, Rod Moore, Ben Darwin, David Giffin, John Eales (captain),Mark Connors, Owen Finegan, Matt Cockbain, George Smith, Phil Waugh, Toutai Kefu, David Lyons. (Backs) - George Gregan, Chris Whitaker, EltonFlatley, Manuel Edmonds, Joe Roff, Nathan Grey, Graeme Bond, Daniel Herbert, Andrew Walker, Chris Latham, Matthew Burke.
AFP