Lote Tuqiri has been omitted from the Australia squad to face the Barbarians © Getty Images

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Players/Officials: Robbie Deans | Lote Tuqiri

Teams: Australia | Barbarians

Wallabies boss Robbie Deans has omitted wing Lote Tuqiri from his squad to face the Barbarians at Sydney Football Stadium on Saturday.

Tuqiri, who has 67 caps and has been a constant in the Test side in recent years, has been dropped from the 22 altogether with Lachie Turner and Drew Mitchell leapfrogging him in to the starting berths and young Western Force prospect James O'Connor starting on the bench.

Western Force blindside Matt Hodgson will make his first appearance in an Australia shirt alongside George Smith and Richard Brown, with experienced Wallabies Phil Waugh and Rocky Elsom likely to start opposite them in the Barbarians loose trio. Waugh will return to the Australia squad after the game, so he will be hoping to press his claims for a Tri- Nations spot.

Lock James Horwill marks his return to the international stage after a lengthy injury absence while Al Baxter, Stephen Moore and Benn Robinson will be hoping to continue their improvement as a front-row.

Stirling Mortlock leads the side from outside-centre, with Berrick Barnes and Matt Giteau inside him. The No.9 shirt has gone to Waratah Luke Burgess.

The Barbarians have touched down in Sydney after defeating England 33-26 at Twickenham, and will be out for revenge after the Wallabies defeated them 18-11in a hard-fought match at Wembley in December.

"It's a high quality line-up we are up against," said Deans. "The Barbarians boast proven performers at this level, who are hungry for more success without being burdened by the pressure of expectation that you associate with full Test matches. Because of that, they will be even more dangerous as an opponent. This will be a Test match in everything but name.

"The Barbarians side we faced last year was a strong one. For experience across the board, this one is even stronger, and they have the advantage on us, in terms of time together to prepare, having played together last weekend when they beat England."

Australia: Adam Ashley-Cooper, Lachie Turner, Stirling Mortlock (capt), Berrick Barnes, Drew Mitchell; Matt Giteau, Luke Burgess; Benn Robinson, Stephen Moore, Al Baxter, James Horwill, Nathan Sharpe, Matt Hodgson, George Smith, Richard Brown

Replacements: Tatafu Polota-Nau, Ben Alexander, Dean Mumm, David Pocock, Josh Valentine, Quade Cooper, James O'Connor