Rocky Elsom dropped as Australia captain

Rocky Elsom has been replaced as Australia captain for the World Cup campaign.

In a unexpected development, coach Robbie Deans has chosen Queensland's James Horwill to lead the squad.

There is no place for Matt Giteau, while back row Matt Hodgson was also overlooked. Deans picked six players who have been injured - Wycliff Palu, James Slipper, Tatafua Polotau-Nau, Rob Horne, Berrick Barnes and Drew Mitchell.

Australia squad: B Alexander, A Ashley-Cooper, B Barnes, K Beale, L Burgess, Q Cooper, R Elsom, A Faingaa, S Faingaa, W Genia, S Higginbotham, R Horne, J Horwill (c), D Ioane, S Kepu, S Ma'afu, P McCabe, B McCalman, D Mitchell, S Moore, J O'Connor, W Palu, N Phipps, D Pocock, T Polota Nau, R Samo, N Sharpe, J Slipper, D Vicerkman