Michael Cheika has selected five uncapped players in his 22 man preliminary train-on squad ahead of the upcoming Rugby Championship which begins on July 18. 

Players from the Brumbies and Waratahs have not been selected in this initial squad, with both sides still involved in the Super Rugby playoffs, which may see them involved with their state teams until July 4 if they reach the final. 

Uncapped players

The two stand-out names from the 22 selected are Queensland Reds pair Karmichael Hunt and Samu Kerevi

Kerevi has been a sensation in Super Rugby this year. In a sorry season for the Reds, who finished 13th overall, and fourth in the Australian Conference standings, the Fijian-born back was a standout player for the side. 

The inside centre was ranked in the top 10 for carries, defenders beaten and offloads when looking back over the whole Super Rugby season. 

Hunt, Kerevi's centre partner in Queensland, only returned to Rugby Union at the start of the season following a four-year stint in Australian Rules Football where he played for the Gold Coast

He has not shone quite as brightly as Kerevi this season, but the former Rugby League international has found his way into Cheika's plans despite pleading guilty to four charges of cocaine possession at the start of the year. 

The other three uncapped players in the squad are Melbourne Rebels' props Toby Smith and Paul Alo-Emile, as well as Western Force second-rower Adam Coleman

Reds dominate squad

Despite their poor season, the Reds dominate the 22-man squad, with over half of the players selected coming via the Queensland province. 

Alongside Kerevi and Hunt, the other notable names include Quade Cooper, Will Genia, James O'Connor and James Slipper, who are all expected to make the final cut when Cheika announces his final squad for the competition, followed by the Rugby World Cup later this year.

The 22 players will meet up in Brisbane on Monday 22 June and train in Ballymore, before the official camp will begin on July 5 in Caloundra at the completion of the Super Rugby season. 

Schatz Omission

Possibly the most unfortunate player to miss out on selection is Reds' back-rower Jake Schatz

Capped twice for Australia last year, Schatz may still be able to force himself into Cheika's plans, with the coach stressing that there is a possibility changes could be made to the squad with the First Test still over a month away. 

Preliminary Squad in full

Melbourne Rebels: Paul Alo-Emile, Scott Higginbotham, Luke Jones, Sean McMahon and Toby Smith. 

Queensland Reds: Quade Cooper, Saia Fainga'a, Will Genia, Liam Gill, James Hanson, James Horwill, Greg Holmes, Karmichael Hunt, Samu Kerevi, James O'Connor, Rob Simmons and James Slipper.

Western Force: Adam Coleman, Nick Cummins, Tetera Faulkner, Ben McCalman and Matt Hodgson. 

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