Rebels halfback Luke Burgess on standby for Wallabies

NEW Melbourne Rebels halfback Luke Burgess remains on standby for Wallabies coach Robbie Deans but wasn't among the final six additions to the squad to face the British and Irish Lions.

Burgess on standy for Wallabies

NEW Melbourne Rebels halfback Luke Burgess remains on standby for Wallabies coach Robbie Deans but wasn't among the final six additions to the squad to face the British and Irish Lions.

Burgess, a veteran of 34 Tests, has played less than 40 minutes of football in Australia for two years, all last Friday night when he came off the bench for the Rebels.

He spent the weekend in Wallabies camp training with the group and while he's not officially in the squad Burgess would be first emergency should either Will Genia or Nick Phipps get injured during the series.

Deans finalised his 31-man group yesterday including Brumbies Peter Kimlin, Scott Sio and Pat McCabe and the Force's Hugh McMeniman while confirming James Horwill would captain the team.

Troubled Rebels playmaker Kurtley Beale and Reds winger Digby Ioane, who is returning from injury, were included on Sunday.

Beale remains in contact with the counsellors he had been seeing as part of his treatment for the alcohol-related issues which led to his suspension by the Rebels.

Those counsellors pushed for Beale's return to football as part of his recovery program.

"We know what Kurtley is capable of in this arena," Deans says.

"His work last week during the first camp supported our contention that it was not too soon for him to get started again, from either a physical or a mental stand point. His physical state is a testament, both to how hard he has worked, but also his desire to get started again."

Queensland pivot Quade Cooper, overlooked by Deans, had to contend with a fan's verbal attack at a Brisbane bar on Sunday.

The Reds star was verbally abused at the Normanby Hotel and had a beer thrown over him.

The Lions will continue their tour against a combined country team in Newcastle today which will be captained by Rebels veteran Tim Davidson and feature his Melbourne teammates Angus Roberts and Trent Dyer.