Wallabies leave Nic White and Wycliff Palu out of their opening Rugby Championship squad

Australia have left scrum-half Nic White and experienced number eight Wycliff Palu out of a 31-man squad for their opening match in the Rugby Championship against South Africa.

Following a training camp on the Sunshine Coast this week, the initial 40-man group has been pared down and ACT Brumbies back Christian Lealiifano is another high profile omission.

Stephen Moore will captain the team and two uncapped players have retained their places in the squad in the form of ACT Brumbies lock Rory Arnold and New South Wales winger Taqele Naiyaravoro.

France-based backs Matt Giteau and Drew Mitchell are also in the squad for the Brisbane clash, which takes place on 18 July.

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But second row man Kane Douglas, who has requested a release from Irish side Leinster and is being hotly pursued by the Australian Rugby Union with the World Cup in mind, has been omitted.

With Brumbies halfback White out, Waratah Nic Phipps will vie with Queensland Red Will Genia for the scrum-half shirt.

Ben McCalman and Scott Higginbotham are likely to battle for the number eight position, although 54-cap Palu could well be recalled later in the series.

Head coach Michael Cheika said: “There were obviously some really tough calls to make.

"The players who have not been named in this 31-man squad will still remain part of the group and will continue to contribute. We have also taken the opportunity to rest players, as we know it is going to be a long international season.

"I have had a good chance to test some combinations and see some players in a high intensity environment. It's given me great confidence, knowing we're establishing some depth in key positions."

The start of the Rugby Championship, which also includes Argentina and New Zealand, marks the beginning of Australia’s final preparations for the World Cup in England this autumn.

Australia squad:             

Forwards: James Slipper, Scott Sio, Sekope Kepu, Stephen Moore (captain), Tatafu Polota-Nau, Rob Simmons, Will Skelton, Rory Arnold, James Horwill, Dean Mumm, Scott Fardy, Scott Higginbotham, Ben McCalman, Sean McMahon, Michael Hooper, David Pocock, Greg Holmes

Backs: Nick Phipps, Will Genia, Bernard Foley, Quade Cooper, Matt Toomua, Matt Giteau, Kurtley Beale, Tevita Kuridrani, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Drew Mitchell, Rob Horne, Joe Tomane, Taqele Naiyaravoro, Israel Folau.