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Sacked winger Lote Tuqiri was the obvious omission from Australia's 30-man squad for the Tri-Nations with coach Robbie Deans instead putting its faith in fresh faces to take on New Zealand and South Africa.

The Australian Rugby Union terminated 29-year-old Tuqiri's lucrative contract without explanation late on Wednesday.

He had been included in the squad for matches against the Barbarians, Italy and France in June, but did not play.

Flanker Phil Waugh, also tipped to be a casualty of Deans' youth-oriented direction, retained his place in the Stirling Mortlock-captained squad.

The squad features 11 players with seven caps or less, including two uncapped players in Queensland Reds scrum-half Will Genia and Western Force loose forward Matt Hodgson.

Outside backs Lachie Turner, Peter Hynes, Drew Mitchell and Adam Ashley-Cooper have retained their places after impressing in internationals last month.

NSW Waratahs' number eight Wycliff Palu has recovered from a hand injury while Deans included the injured Rocky Elsom, though he will miss the opening match against New Zealand on July 18.

"Rocky Elsom has been named, but he's not able to be considered for the first test in Auckland against the All Blacks and is probably doubtful for the next outing as well," Deans said.

Deans said the squad, which features a 17-13 split between forwards and backs, was tailored to counter New Zealand and South Africa's forwards.

"If you look at the competition from a historical perspective, and more particularly look at the pointers from our experience last year, it is in the forward pack where our resources are most likely to come under stress," he said.

Australia's 30-man Tri-Nations squad:

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, Rocky Elsom, Wycliff Palu.

Backs - Luke Burgess, Matt Giteau, Berrick Barnes, Quade Cooper, Stirling Mortlock (captain), Timana Tahu, Ryan Cross, Peter Hynes, Lachie Turner, Drew Mitchell, Adam Ashley-Cooper, James O'Connor, Will Genia

Reuters