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Former rugby league player Timana Tahu has been rewarded for his good form for Australia A with selection in the Wallabies' 30-man squad for the Tri-Nations series.

Tahu played a lead role at inside centre for Australia A in the just-finished Pacific Nations Cup, in which the Australians finished a close second to the New Zealand Maori.

The 27-year-old's selection caps a rapid rise since his decision to switch from league to union with the New South Wales Waratahs at the beginning of the year.

Tahu (picuted, getting tackled) is one of four players named who was not an original part of the initial Australian squad for the first three internationals against Ireland and France.

Winger Drew Mitchell and flanker Hugh McMeniman have also been promoted from the Australia A, while lock Dan Vickerman makes his comeback from injury.

The four newcomers replace Digby Ioane, Mark Chisholm, Stephen Hoiles and Cameron Shepherd in the squad.

Ioane, Chisholm and Hoiles have been dropped and Shepherd is missing after he broke his leg in the dying stages of the second test against France in Brisbane on Saturday.

"All of the players who have missed out today have more to contribute at this level," coach Robbie Deans said. "It's just a reality that our selection pool has grown.

"The quality of some of the blokes that we have coming into the squad, which has been proven previously at test level, can't be denied."

Deans said Tahu had impressed him during the Pacific Nations Cup.

"We've been watching Timana closely and believe the time is right to introduce him to this level," Deans added.

"While he is still learning the game, it is clear he has the ability to make an impact on a game, and will only get better as he gains more experience."

The Wallabies' Tri-Nations campaign begins against South Africa in Perth on July 19.

Squad: Backs: Adam Ashley Cooper, Berrick Barnes, Luke Burgess, Sam Cordingley, Ryan Cross, Matt Giteau, Peter Hynes, Drew Mitchell, Stirling Mortlock (captain), 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.

Reuters