Incoming ACT Brumbies scrumhalf Josh Valentine has been left out of the Wallabies Tri Nations squad as coach Robbie Deans kept his promise to call up Queenslander Will Genia.
Deans called Genia and said he would have been in the Australian squad for the first four internationals but for a tendon injury in his finger.
So Deans made good yesterday when he unveiled the 30-man squad, which included the 21-year-old Papua New Guinea-born Genia for Valentine.
The only other change was the return of No8 Wycliff Palu, who effectively replaced the sacked Lote Tuqiri in the squad.
''I got a call from Robbie Deans when I was injured saying if I wasn't injured I would have been picked,'' Genia said yesterday. ''So when he told me that I was pretty happy.
''He said 'keep your head up and do all you can do to get back and we'll cross paths before the end of the year'.
''So that was motivation to work hard and that's what I've done.''
Genia suffered the injury against the Brumbies in early May and says he has kept himself fit and is two weeks away from playing.
Given Australia regularly pick a specialist scrumhalf on the bench, Genia's first match back and Test debut should be a baptism of fire against the All Blacks at Eden Park on July 18 in Auckland. Genia is the No2 scrumhalf in the squad behind Luke Burgess.
''I've never experienced Test rugby or Test training sessions, it's a whole new thing for me but I'll do everything I can, I have done everything I can,'' he said.
Genia grew up in PNG before his parents, part of Port Moresby's business community, sent him at 12 years of age to board at Brisbane Boys College, where he took up rugby.
''I grew up playing cricket actually, that's when I first figured out what rugby union was, that's when I first started playing,'' he said. Deans said he'd noticed the Reds No9 last year.
''He's grown physically and with that he's really grown in confidence in the game,'' Deans said.
''Against a tiring defence a guy like him is going to be pretty challenging and we've seen that through Super rugby.''
Palu hasn't played for Australia since last year's spring tour win over France in Paris.
He was forced to return home after that match for a shoulder operation, and has subsequently been troubled by two separate broken bones in his left hand.
Flanker Matt Hodgson (shoulder) is expected to be available for the Auckland Test, although Rocky Elsom (knee) may not be able to be considered until Australia's trip to South Africa at the end of the month. AAP
WALLABIES SQUAD
Backs: Adam Ashley-Cooper, Berrick Barnes, Luke Burgess, Quade Cooper, Ryan Cross, Will Genia, Matt Giteau, Peter Hynes, Drew Mitchell, Stirling Mortlock (capt), James O'Connor, Timana Tahu, Lachie Turner.
Forwards: Ben Alexander, Al Baxter, Richard Brown, Pek Cowan, Rocky Elsom, Matt Hodgson, James Horwill, Peter Kimlin, Stephen Moore, Dean Mumm, Wycliff Palu, David Pocock, Tatafu Polota-Nau, Benn Robinson, Nathan Sharpe, George Smith, Phil Waugh.