Rugby

Forgotten Australia back-rower Stephen Hoiles says the side's new-found success under coach Robbie Deans has made his omission from the current squad all the more painful.

Hoiles, who was a mainstay of the Wallabies set-up under coach John Connolly, playing in all 12 of the team's 2007 fixtures, was the first big-name casualty of the Deans era when the 30-man Tri-Nations squad was announced in July.

"It's an exciting time so that probably makes it a little bit more frustrating to watch but look hopefully there's still an opportunity for me some time soon." Hoiles said

He added: "It's disappointing, I got (to start) that Test against France (in Brisbane) this year and then was left out of the Tri-Nations squad. In all honesty it's been great seeing Australian rugby turn around just on the back of the Wallabies' success, (under) a new exciting coach.

"I've just got to keep playing well and not really think about that, just play well for Randwick and hopefully, it's an old cliche, but the rest will take care of itself."

Asked if the Wallabies' hierarchy had explained their decision not to include him in their Tri-Nations plans, the skilful number eight explained: "I think they just wanted a bit more of an all-round work rate, they were happy with a fair few aspects of my game but the feeling I got without hearing direct words was just to have more involvement."