Michael Hooper and James Slipper will be the first co-captains of Australia, after coach Eddie Jones named the pair as his leaders for the Rugby Championship and World Cup later this year.
Flanker Hooper has captained Australia on 68 occasions and returns to the role less than 12 months after walking out on the Wallabies before their Rugby Championship opener, saying he was not in the right frame of mind to play.
Experienced prop Slipper, who has won 127 caps for his country, stepped up to replace Hooper after his abrupt departure and has captained Australia 12 times.
Jones, who replaced Dave Rennie as coach in January, says his decision to go for co-captains is inspired by a visit to Sydney Swans Australian Rules team.
"They've got a tradition of co-captaincy, and I just wanted to delve down into the area of the advantages and disadvantages," Jones said. "I think with Slips and Hoops, we cover the range of the squad.
"Both have a slightly different approach to leadership, both have got a slightly different approach to the way they play the game and I think, together, they can be a really strong captaincy group."
Jones has also named a 34-man squad for the Rugby Championship, with hooker Matt Faessler, prop Zane Nonggorr and flanker Josh Kemeny the most surprising selections among the eight uncapped players.
Less surprising were the inclusions of flyhalf Carter Gordon, locks Tom Hooper and Richie Arnold, winger Dylan Pietsch and scrumhalf Ryan Lonergan, who have all had strong campaigns at Super Rugby and provincial levels.
The most notable absentee is flyhalf Bernard Foley, who returned from international exile to start Australia's final six tests of last season.
"It's probably one of the hardest squads I've had to select," said Jones, who previously coached Australia from 2001-05.
"The back row was tight, standoff was tight, halfback was tight, so there was a few sleepless nights.
"We know that in the Rugby Championship and in the World Cup, we'll have at least a 20 percent injury rate, so there'll be opportunities for players who missed out."
The former England coach has also been given approval by Rugby Australia to utilise five overseas-based players for the Rugby Championship, instead of the usual three.
Centre Samu Kerevi - who is not yet available for selection, because of injury - winger Marika Koroibete, locks Will Skelton and Richie Arnold, as well as flyhalf Quade Cooper are the players selected.
Australia begin their Rugby Championship campaign against South Africa at Pretoria on July 8.
Wallabies squad:
Forwards: Allan Alaalatoa (Brumbies), Richie Arnold (Stade Toulousain), Matt Faessler (Reds), Nick Frost (Brumbies), Matt Gibbon (Rebels), Jed Holloway (Waratahs), Michael Hooper (Waratahs), Tom Hooper (Brumbies), Josh Kemeny (Rebels), Rob Leota (Rebels), Fraser McReight (Reds), Zane Nonggorr (Reds), David Porecki (Waratahs), Pete Samu (Brumbies), Will Skelton (La Rochelle), James Slipper (Brumbies), Taniela Tupou (Reds), Jordan Uelese (Rebels), Rob Valetini (Brumbies)
Backs: Quade Cooper (Kintetsu Liners), Ben Donaldson (Waratahs), Lalakai Foketi (Waratahs), Carter Gordon (Rebels), Reece Hodge (Rebels), Len Ikitau (Brumbies), Marika Koroibete (Saitama Wild Knights), Ryan Lonergan (Brumbies), Tate McDermott (Reds), Mark Nawaqanitawase (Waratahs), Dylan Pietsch (Waratahs), Izaia Perese (Waratahs), Suliasi Vunivalu (Reds), Nic White (Brumbies), Tom Wright (Brumbies)
Reuters
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