Wallabies selectors injected a copious amount of new blood into their 40-man training squad ahead of the coming spring tour, naming 12 uncapped players, including two second-row bolters.

Circumstances forced the hands of selectors to some extent, with up to 10 players unavailable due to injury.

The absentee list included former captain and centre Stirling Mortlock, locks James Horwill and Mark Chisholm, back-rowers Wycliff Palu and Stephen Hoiles, hooker Tatafu Polota-Nau and backs Rob Horne, Digby Ioane, Will Chambers and Cameron Shepherd.

The list of uncapped players ranges greatly in age and experience.

The contingent includes veteran Queensland lock Van Humphries, who will turn 35 in January, down to 20-year-old Brumbies back Matt Toomua.

Humphries apart, another lock surprise is former Queensland and Western Force second-rower and new Waratahs recruit Pat O'Connor, who is currently playing for Northland in New Zealand's ITM Cup.

Yet another new lock is Waratahs youngster Kane Douglas, one of three uncapped 21-year-olds in the squad along with Force hooker Nathan Charles and Reds wing speedster Rod Davies.

Perhaps the most surprising newcomer in the backs is New Zealand-born Australian sevens representative Brackin Karauria-Henry, who has made just three Super appearances for the Brumbies, before signing for NSW.

The other uncapped players in the squad are forwards Mitchell Chapman, Dave Dennis and Scott Higginbotham and backs Pat McCabe and Richard Kingi.

Wallabies coach Robbie Deans said there was still some chance that Polota-Nau, Chambers and Shepherd could recover in time for the tour of Hong Kong and Europe, though it was unlikely.

He said Chisholm was progressing well from his injury and could be considered later along with members of the Australian sevens squad currently in India for the Commonwealth Games.

However, Deans said a number of players, including skipper and flanker Rocky Elsom, winger Drew Mitchell, McCabe and Higginbotham wouldn't train fully at the start of the camp in Sydney on Tuesday.

Back in the squad after lengthy injury periods this year are props Ben Alexander and Sekope Kepu.

Deans acknowledged the spate of injuries this year had a positive side.

"I think there is a silver lining to it. We've got a large group of players who have been exposed to rugby at this level," Deans told AAP.

Asked about the inclusion of journeyman Humphries, who has played in Italy, New Zealand and Japan as well as for NSW and Queensland, Deans said: "Van had a good Super rugby series.

"He picked up an injury at the end, which ruled him out in terms of consideration through June with the Australian Barbarians program, so he gets an opportunity now."

He said Karauria-Henry was a development player, but his versatility would be valuable in the camp and the youngster was "clearly a talent".

The seven match tour of Hong Kong and Europe includes Tests against New Zealand, Wales, England, Italy and France and midweek fixtures against English Leicester and Irish province Munster.

Wallabies: Ben Alexander, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Berrick Barnes, Kurtley Beale, Richard Brown, Luke Burgess, Nathan Charles, Mitchell Chapman, Quade Cooper, Ben Daley, Rod Davies, Dave Dennis, Kane Douglas, Huia Edmonds, Rocky Elsom, Anthony Faingaa, Saia Faingaa, Will Genia, Matt Giteau, Scott Higginbotham, Matt Hodgson, Peter Hynes, Van Humphries, Brackin Karauria-Henry, Sekope Kepu, Richard Kingi, Salesi Ma'afu, Pat McCabe, Ben McCalman, Drew Mitchell, Stephen Moore, Dean Mumm, James O'Connor, Pat O'Connor, David Pocock, Benn Robinson, Nathan Sharpe, Rob Simmons, James Slipper, Matt Toomua.

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