Seven of the most celebrated players in Australian rugby history have been announced as the 2009 Classic Wallabies Statesmen.

One player from each decade since the Second World War has accepted the invitation to serve as a statesman, making formal and informal appearances on behalf of the ARU during the coming season.

Five of the seven are former Test captains and all have played a significant role in the history of the game.

This year's elite group are Arthur Buchan from the 1940s, John Thornett from the `50s, Jim Lenehan from the `60s, John Hipwell from the `70s, Mark Ella from the `80s, Tim Horan from the `90s and Matthew Burke from this millennium.

Thornett, Hipwell and Ella are also previous Wallabies Hall of Fame inductees.

It is the second year of the statesmen program, which will be an ongoing feature of the Australian rugby season with a new group announced each year.

This year's selection follows the initial statesmen from 2008 - Sir Nicholas Shehadie, Dr John Solomon, Ken Catchpole, Mark Loane, Andrew Slack, Nick Farr-Jones and John Eales.

"The statesmen initiative provides an opportunity to showcase our wonderful alumni of former Wallabies," ARU chief John O'Neill said on Monday.

"We must never forget our past and the wonderful men who have contributed so much.

"We want the rugby culture to remain strong and vibrant, and we want our past heroes as well as our current stars to help us carry those traditions forward."

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