Wallabies coach Robbie Deans has hinted that poor service from the NSW Waratahs cost Lote Tuqiri his spot in the Australian side.

Tuqiri's form suffered with the Waratahs' grinding game-plan in 2009 and the 29-year-old paid the price on Tuesday with his omission from the first Wallabies side of the international season.

The powerful winger has not previously been dropped because of a lack of form in the six seasons since he switched from rugby league.

Tuqiri's absence from Saturday night's clash with the Barbarians at the Sydney Football Stadium must cast doubt on his involvement in the 2011 World Cup, despite the 67-Test veteran having a contract reportedly worth $600,000 per season until after the New Zealand tournament.

"He hasn't had a lot of opportunity to be fair," Deans said.

"He hasn't been served particularly well. We hope to serve our wings well and we hope that when he gets his opportunity that he's on the end of that.

"He has looked for work, he has defended really well, he's probably been the most impressive in terms of his defence."

Tuqiri's axing came even though another winger, Peter Hynes, was unavailable as he returns from a knee injury.

NSW teammate Lachlan Turner and the Western Force's Drew Mitchell were named on the wings.

Speculation emerged on Tuesday that Tuqiri could be tempted to reconsider his future and seek a release from his Australian deal, but his agent Les Ross insisted that was "pure speculation".

"He's got a four-year contract with these guys and this is a Barbarians game," Ross told AAP.

Deans said the size of a player's wage was "totally irrelevant" when it came to picking a team.

"I'm not familiar and I'm not interested really in terms of what blokes get for playing, and to be honest I suspect once they get to this point of being in the squad that's not a priority for them either," he said.

"They're more excited about the fact that they've got the opportunity to pull on their nation's jersey ... they'd probably give up all their income in order to do something significant while they're in it."

And Deans said Tuqiri would get a chance this winter.

"Everyone that we've got here is here because we believe in their capabilities," the coach said.

"We obviously can't play them all at the same time.

"Whether you're in the 22 or outside the 22, it's one and the same.

"Being given the opportunity isn't necessarily of advantage unless you use it well."

In other significant selections, Adam Ashley-Cooper was named at fullback, the position he occupied for most of 2008, ahead of young gun James O'Connor.

Matt Hodgson was named among seven Western Force players, the highest representation amongst the Australian Super 14 teams, to make his debut in a Wallabies jersey at blindside flanker.

"We just noticed him and he's perfectly equipped for what we're asking him to do," Deans said.

Centre Berrick Barnes and lock James Horwill return from injuries, while O'Connor and Quade Cooper have earned bench roles ahead of Timana Tahu.

The squad is likely to be further bolstered next week with the return of Rocky Elsom, who is expected to sign with the Brumbies in the next few days.

"There's obviously a Test against Italy coming up in Canberra so I'd like to be a part of that," Elsom told Sydney radio station 2KY on Tuesday.

Australia: Adam Ashley-Cooper, Lachie Turner, Stirling Mortlock (capt), Berrick Barnes, Drew Mitchell, Matt Giteau, Luke Burgess, Richard Brown, George Smith, Matt Hodgson, Nathan Sharpe, James Horwill, Al Baxter, Stephen Moore, Benn Robinson. Res: Tatafu Polota-Nau, Ben Alexander, Dean Mumm, David Pocock, Josh Valentine, Quade Cooper, James O'Connor.

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