Wallabies look beter than All Blacks: Mitchell

Western Force coach John Mitchell believes the Wallabies are in a stronger position than the All Blacks as they head into the Test series against Fiji, England and Ireland.

"I think the Australian (player) base is probably at a higher level than New Zealand right at the moment," Mitchell said.

"But you still can't afford to get into a comfort zone on that basis because you only need a couple of positional weaknesses through injury and it can cost you."

Wallabies coach Robbie Deans has picked seven uncapped players in his squad of 30 that includes Force captain Nathan Sharpe, back-rowers David Pocock, Matt Hodgson, Richard Brown, prop Pek Cowan and James O'Connor, who has been selected at full-back.

Another 10 players, including Force winger Nick Cummins and flanker/second row Ben McCalman, have been included as part of the Australian Barbarians team which will play two midweek matches against England.

"Clearly there's an indication that it's quite a youthful squad going into next year and to have depth going into a World Cup year has got to be pretty exciting," Mitchell said.

"It's going to create competition for places and drive up the level."

Mitchell was not surprised by the Force selections.

"All those guys deserve to be there. They are international footballers. They consistently play well," he said.

Hodgson gets a second chance to win his first Test cap.

The 28-year-old loose forward was a member of last year's Australian squad but injured his shoulder in the non-cap match against the Barbarians in Sydney.

He also played against Gloucester and Cardiff on the northern hemisphere spring tour but both were also non-cap games. Cowan is named as loosehead prop despite filling in at hooker for the Force earlier this year.

"Pek played a great team role for us in a difficult situation," Mitchell said. "I'd say Nick (Cummins) is fortunate. He hasn't had a lot of rugby and he'll get better as the year goes on. Ben McCalman has had a superb first season."

"Ryan Cross has probably missed out because they've (Wallaby selectors) gone for a couple of five-eighths. Time will tell whether five-eighths or direct centres will be the right choices against New Zealand and South Africa."
Brumbies captain and No.8 Stephen Hoiles was recalled to the squad. Players unavailable through injury included prop Benn Robinson, second-rower/lock James Horwill, No.8 Wycliff Palu and hooker Stephen Moore. Australia kicks off the Test Series against the 2007 Rugby World Cup quarter- finalists Fiji in Canberra on June 5.

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