The rejuvenation of the Wallabies ranks have continued with four uncapped players, including teenage sensation James O'Connor, chosen for the coming Spring Tour but there was sobering news for veteran winger Lote Tuqiri.

O'Connor, 18, will become the second youngest player ever to represent Australia should he appear in any of the five Tests on the six-match tour of Hong Kong and Europe.

The other new faces in the 34-man squad were his Western Force teammate and flanker David Pocock, NSW Waratahs prop Sekope Kepu and Queensland Reds five-eighth Quade Cooper.

Wallabies coach Robbie Deans said the squad could be cut by one if Tuqiri couldn't travel after revealing the powerful back would require a longer rehabilitation than anticipated following his recent knee surgery.

ARU boss John O'Neill complimented Deans on adding the quartet of newcomers to the eight Test debutant he had already introduced this season.

Deans said the regeneration of the Wallabies had been borne out of necessity following the retirement and departure of several key players.

"You look at a number of senior players who have left, significant contributors like (halfback George) Gregan, (five-eighth Stephen) Larkham and (fullback Chris) Latham and others like (lock) Dan Vickerman now," the New Zealander said.

"There was always going to be a big void to fill and we are underway."

Queensland winger Brian Ford became the youngest Wallaby back in 1957 when he represented Australia at the age of 18 years and 19 days against New Zealand in Brisbane.

O'Connor, who is also a Queensland product, admitted to being surprised and overwhelmed by his selection.

Just back from the Force's tour of the United Kingdom, O'Connor, who has played just four Super 14 games, was holidaying with some mates on Stradbroke Island when he got news of his call up.

"At first, I thought it was a joke, a gee up from one of the boys and then I got the call and had to get on a plane three hours later, so I frantically got the ferry to the airport," O'Connor said.

Because of his New Zealand-born parents and South African grandparents, Australian-born O'Connor had the chance to play for any of the three southern hemisphere rugby giants.

"It wasn't much of a decision. I've always wanted to play for the Wallabies," said O'Connor, who initially played league.

Deans was impressed with by the package of skills possessed by O'Connor and wasn't concerned by his relatively slender 180cm, 85kg frame.

"He's got all the key components, all the key ingredients, in terms of balance, speed and power," Deans said.

"Power to weight is the key as is evidenced in a player like (179cm, 91kg All Blacks five-eighth) Dan Carter, who is not the biggest man.

"But power to weight he is very powerful and you add to that a sense of coordination and (former All Blacks fullback) Christian Cullen (also 180cm, 85kg) is similar.

"It's not about size. It's about what you've got and how you are able to use what you've got."

Deans said initially it was felt Tuqiri would need a four-week rehabilitation but he revealed the damage was more extensive than first thought, with some repair work required to his meniscus.

"If we play him before he's ready, that could compromise his future," Deans said.

"We don't want to do that."

Wallabies touring squad

Forwards: Ben Alexander (Brumbies), Al Baxter (Waratahs), Richard Brown (Force), Mark Chisholm (Brumbies), Matt Dunning (Waratahs), Adam Freier (Waratahs), James Horwill (Reds), Sekope Kepu (Waratahs), Hugh McMeniman (Reds), Dean Mumm (Waratahs), Stephen Moore (Reds), Wycliff Palu (Waratahs), David Pocock (Force), Tatafu Polota-Nau (Waratahs), Benn Robinson (Waratahs), Nathan Sharpe (Force), George Smith (Brumbies), Phil Waugh (Waratahs).

Backs: Adam Ashley-Cooper (Brumbies), Berrick Barnes (Reds), Luke Burgess (Waratahs), Quade Cooper (Reds), Sam Cordingley (Reds), Ryan Cross (Force), Matt Giteau (Force), Peter Hynes (Reds), Digby Ioane (Reds), Drew Mitchell (Force), Stirling Mortlock (Brumbies, capt), James O'Connor (Force), Brett Sheehan (Waratahs), Timana Tahu (Waratahs), Lote Tuqiri (Waratahs), Lachie Turner (Waratahs).

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