The new coach included eight Super Rugby rookies but, in an expanded 44-man squad, there was no room for Jack Dempsey, Isi Naisarani or Tevita Kuridani.
No.8 Naisarani had been one of the Rebels best this season, while centre Kuridrani had been in and out of the Brumbies’ top side this season.
Dempsey is the other World Cup tourist still playing in Australia omitted, while Waratahs teammate Karmichael Hunt was another notable absence.