Wallabies omit James Horwill and Nic White from Rugby World Cup squad

Michael Cheika has unveiled his 31-man squad for the upcoming Rugby World Cup, with Matt Giteau completing his resurgence in the green and gold with a place on the plane to London, while Stephen Moore has been named captain.

Michael Cheika also opted against selecting Brumbies playmaker White in the squad announced at Sydney Airport on Friday.

Folau said he was “sure” Cheika would have settled on one of the more contentious of selection issues – that being, his preferred halves combination between the options of Nick Phipps, Nic White and Will Genia for the half-back slot and Bernard Foley, Quade Cooper and Matt Toomua in the five-eighth position.

Veteran Giteau selection caps off his return after he moved to France when controversially omitted for the 2011 World Cup.

The squad, which comprises of 17 forwards and 14 backs, will be captained by Stephen Moore in his third consecutive Rugby World Cup.

“There’s some happy people and some very disappointed people”, said Cheika.

Others in the extended squad, who will be on standby in case of any tournament-ending injuries occur, are forwards Sam Carter, David Dennis, Tetera Faulkner, Scott Higginbotham and backs Samu Kerevi, Christian Lealiifano and Taqele Naiyaravoro.

But it was always inevitable that to be left out would be the names of some players whose absence will prompt plenty of debate in the weeks to come as the World Cup in Britain nears its September 18 start.

Australia has drawn a tough pool that will see it open with a match against Fiji on September 23 in Cardiff before taking on Uruguay, England and Wales.

Australia coach Michael Cheika surprised by naming uncapped Melbourne Rebels prop Toby Smith and promising flanker Sean McMahon in his 31-man World Cup squad.