Hanigan and Dempsey named in Wallabies June Test squad

Cheika has named a 34-man Test squad to take on Fiji, Scotland and Italy that includes bolters Lukhan Tui and Eto Nabuli (Queensland Reds), Richard Hardwick (Western Force) as well as 32-Test back-rower Scott Higginbotham (Reds), who played his last international match almost two years ago. ACT Brumbies halfback Joe Powell has once again been included in a squad as the third halfback behind Will Genia - the only overseas-based player - and Nick Phipps. Other than that, Cheika has remained loyal to a good portion of the squad who travelled to Europe for the spring tour last year, with Nick Frisby the only 2016 Wallabies debutant not selected outside of being injured.

"We're certainly not going to be giving any Test caps away," Cheika said. "It's been driven on form and a view to getting some guys in and seeing them at this level before we get into the 2018 season."

With Higginbotham and Lopeti Timani set to battle it out for the No.8 jersey, it appears Hanigan almost has his name on the No.6 jersey following a breakthrough year with the Waratahs.

Cheika confirmed he was only looking at Hanigan as a back-rower and even floated Dempsey's name out as a potential chance for Tests two and three of the series.

Dempsey's selection is somewhat surprising given he has not played a game of Super Rugby this season due to injury.

He is expected to return this weekend for the Waratahs against the Chiefs, but his inclusion in the squad is testament to just how highly Cheika rates him following an invitation to be a development player on the spring tour.

"You look at a guy like Dempsey; he hasn't played a lot of footy this year, he came back and played club rugby and he'll get another game this week," Cheika said. "Maybe game one might be a stretch for him but he's a chance for game two."

Karmichael Hunt was all but confirmed as Israel Folau's back-up at fullback, while Bernard Foley and Quade Cooper have been named as chief playmakers.

Reece Hodge, Samu Kerevi, Tevita Kuridrani and Kyle Godwin make up the centres, while Nabuli, Marika Koroibete, Sefa Naivalu, Dane Haylett-Petty and Henry Speight are the five wingers vying for two starting spots. Brumbies prop Scott Sio, who has been a regular for the Wallabies, was also selected, with Cheika optimistic he could come into consideration for the second Test against Scotland in Sydney following a long lay-off with a knee injury.

Cheika didn't take kindly to a question about whether it was hard to find Australian players in form, saying he backed any group of players that would take the field. "In answer to your question around is it difficult, I'm not having any of that," Cheika said. "This is Australian rugby, these are our players, and they're capable of doing anything. It's about getting the mindset right and going out there and doing their absolute best. Yes, we've had some difficult results perhaps, but I look at the Brumbies and the way they went about their business [by winning in Argentina]. We've got players who can play better but we've got players who are playing quite well."

Notable omissions were Rob Simmons and Kane Douglas, who have 102 Wallabies caps between them and started together in the 2015 World Cup final. Cheika also snubbed players who have decided to ply their trade overseas next season, including Rob Horne, Will Skelton, Dean Mumm and Scott Fardy.

Wallabies 34-man squad for June Test series

Props (5): Allan Alaalatoa, Sekope Kepu, Toby Smith, Tom Robertson, Scott Sio

Hookers (3): Stephen Moore, Tatafu Polota-Nau, Tolu Latu

Second-rowers (4): Adam Coleman, Rory Arnold, Sam Carter, Lukhan Tui

Back-rowers (6): Ned Hanigan, Michael Hooper, Scott Higginbotham, Richard Hardwick, Lopeti Timani, Jack Dempsey

Halfbacks (3): Will Genia, Nick Phipps, Joe Powell

Five-eighths (2): Bernard Foley, Quade Cooper

Centres (4): Reece Hodge, Samu Kerevi, Tevita Kuridrani, Kyle Godwin

Wingers (5): Marika Koroibete, Eto Nabuli, Sefa Naivalu, Dane Haylett-Petty, Henry Speight

Fullbacks (2): Israel Folau, Karmichael Hunt