Australian Rugby
Wallabies welcome back trio
ESPN Staff
October 25, 2012
Wallabies skipper David Pocock spins a pass in training, Australia training session, Sydney, Australia, August 14, 2012
Flanker David Pocock is back in the Wallabies' mix © PA Photos
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Players/Officials: Berrick Barnes | Stephen Moore | David Pocock
Tournaments/Tours: Australia tour
Teams: Australia

Australia have called on David Pocock, Berrick Barnes and Stephen Moore ahead of their northern hemisphere tour.

Pocock has been sidelined with a knee injury which kept him out of five of Australia's Rugby Championship matches while Moore damaged his hamstring against New Zealand in August. Barnes missed the final two matches of the Rugby Championship with a lung problem.

And coach Robbie Deans, who will be under pressure to return from their matches against France, England, Italy and Wales with a win due to their mixed fortunes during the Rugby Championship, will ease Pocock back into action.

Deans said: "Poey has done very well... he's still got a bit to do in terms of being available to be selected but he's clearly going to be available and hence he's coming with us."

One notable omission is Scott Higginbotham who was hit with a two-match ban following his incident with Richie McCaw.

"To have included Scott within the 30 would have created an additional challenge in terms of selection for the opening two matches, which would have compromised the group," Deans said. "Scott was aware once he was suspended that this was a possibility."

Australia squad:

Forwards: Benn Robinson, James Slipper, Sekope Kepu, Ben Alexander, Paddy Ryan, Tatafu Polota-Nau, Stephen Moore, James Hanson, Nathan Sharpe (capt), Sitaleki Timani, Kane Douglas, Rob Simmons, Dave Dennis, David Pocock, Michael Hooper, Liam Gill, Wycliff Palu, Radike Samo

Backs: Nick Phipps, Brett Sheehan, Kurtley Beale, Berrick Barnes, Pat McCabe, Anthony Faingaa, Ben Tapuai, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Digby Ioane, Nick Cummins, Drew Mitchell, Mike Harris

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.

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