Stephen Hoiles struggled to hide his shock when Wallabies coach Robbie Deans rang him on Sunday night to inform him of his omission from Australia's 30-man Tri-Nations squad.
But the 26-year-old has vowed to prove the selectors wrong by fighting his way back into the national team for its end-of-season European tour.
ACT Brumbies back-rower Hoiles' omission was one of four changes made yesterday for the coming series against the All Blacks and Springboks.
He joined fellow Brumbies forward Mark Chisholm as shock absentees from Deans' squad, as well as Digby Ioane and the injured Cameron Shepherd.
Rugby league recruit Timana Tahu named in his first Wallabies squad Drew Mitchell, Dan Vickerman and Hugh McMeniman are the replacements.
Hoiles' and Chisholm's axings leave only four Brumbies in the squad captain Stirling Mortlock, Adam Ashley-Cooper, George Smith and Ben Alexander.
Hoiles' fall from grace came as the greatest surprise.
He started at No8 for the Wallabies in Saturday night's Test against France at Suncorp Stadium.
But not even being in the leading 22 players three days ago was enough to grant Hoiles a berth in the 30-man squad named in Sydney yesterday.
''I don't want to sound overly confident but yeah, it was a bit of a shock to be left out, especially given I was in the run-on team in Brisbane so to go from that to outside the 30 is a bit of a surprise,'' he said.
''Robbie called me [Sunday] night and basically said they wanted a higher work rate around the ball, someone to play a bit harder at the ball and that they'd opted for Richard Brown instead of me.
''The selectors want to go down a different avenue and for the time being, I don't fit their make-up. That's disappointing obviously but it's not the news that is the challenge, it's how I react to it.''
Hoiles has already made plans to return to his club team Randwick for the remainder of the Sydney club competition.
While only an injury to an incumbent is likely to see him return to the Wallabies fold during the seven-game Tri-Nations campaign, Hoiles hasn't lost faith in his ability to eventually return to the Test team.
He played in each Test last year, while Saturday's 40-10 win against the French was his first taste of the Wallabies team this year.
''I actually thought I played well in a tight game against France where the time I was on the field we didn't have much ball, making it a very defence-orientated performance,'' Hoiles said.
''Robbie wants me to work not on my fitness but maybe just playing a bit harder at the ball.''
Hoiles missed Australia's first two Tests against Ireland and France and was only called into the team at the weekend to replace an injured Wycliff Palu.
Deans insisted Hoiles, and the three other players who he dropped, had done nothing wrong but that he simply couldn't find room for them in his final squad.
''We're not disappointed with their contribution,'' the coach said.
''All of the players who have missed out have more to contribute at this level.''
The Wallabies open their Tri-Nations account against the Springboks at Subiaco on July 19.
WALLABIES
Backs: Adam Ashley Cooper, Berrick Barnes, Luke Burgess, Sam Cordingley, Ryan Cross, Matt Giteau, Peter Hynes, Drew Mitchell, Stirling Mortlock (c), Brett Sheehan, Timana Tahu, Lote Tuqiri, Lachlan Turner.
Forwards: Ben Alexander, Al Baxter, Richard Brown, Matt Dunning, Rocky Elsom, Adam Freier, James Horwill, Hugh McMeniman, Dean Mumm, Stephen Moore, Wycliff Palu, Tatafu Polota-Nau, Benn Robinson, Nathan Sharpe, George Smith, Phil Waugh, Dan Vickerman.
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