Waratahs coach Michael Cheika has vowed to unite the states behind the Australian team after being announced on Wednesday as the new Wallabies coach.
ARU chief executive Bill Pulver announced Cheika would take over from Ewen McKenzie on a three-year deal, effective immediately. He will fly out with the team on the spring tour of Europe on Friday.
McKenzie resigned after Australia's 29-28 loss to New Zealand in Brisbane on Saturday night.
"Central to our decision was selecting a world-class coach who can lead us to victory in next year's Rugby World Cup and a person who represents rugby's core values," Pulver said. "Michael fulfils these requirements. He is also extremely passionate and has a strong track record of motivating teams to win through plenty of hard work. I'm confident he will embrace this new challenge and on behalf of the Australian Rugby community, I would like to congratulate him on his appointment."
Cheika said he spoke to other state coaches about coming on the spring tour but said, logistically, it was not possible.
"I never imagined I would be in the position of coaching our national team and feel extremely honoured to have this opportunity. My mission will be to do the best possible job I can and to motivate the people around me to ensure they are able to represent Australia to the best of their ability. I feel the key to any future success will be to ensure we have a strong identity and not letting anything get in the way of our preparation to succeed on the world stage."
Cheika led the NSW Waratahs to their first Super Rugby title earlier this year.
The Wallabies play against the Barbarians, Wales, France, Ireland and England on their tour.
The 33-man squad for the tour includes three changes to the squad which recently assembled in Brisbane to prepare for the All Blacks, including the return of injured duo Matt Toomua and Ben McCalman. McCalman was initially expected to miss the remainder of 2014 due to a shoulder injury but has improved significantly in recent weeks, to a point where he has been cleared by ARU medical staff to return to play.
Fellow back-rower Scott Fardy will however miss the remainder of the Test season, and underwent surgery for an ongoing knee problem.
Uncapped Rebels back-rower Sean McMahon is another new face, one of five potential debutants, alongside prop Tetera Faulkner, centre Kyle Godwin and wingers Henry Speight and Tom English.
Pulver also announced there will be changes to the Wallabies' off-field structure. "A recent review found we need to introduce a senior position into the Wallabies' off-field structure to provide additional leadership and general management duties."
The ARU's general manager of pathways and performance, Ben Whitaker will fill this role for the tour.
Waratahs defence coach Nathan Grey is also set to join the team along with existing forwards Coach Andrew Blades.
Assistant coaches Nick Scrivener and Jim McKay have been told their services are no longer required.
Squad: Adam Ashley-Cooper, Ben Alexander, Sam Carter, Quade Cooper, Tom English, Saia Fainga'a, Tetera Faulkner, Israel Folau, Bernard Foley, Will Genia, Kyle Godwin, James Hanson, Scott Higginbotham, Matt Hodgson, Michael Hooper (c), Rob Horne, James Horwill, Luke Jones, Sekope Kepu, Tevita Kuridrani, Christian Leali'ifano, Josh Mann-Rea, Ben McCalman, Sean McMahon, Nick Phipps, Benn Robinson, Rob Simmons, Will Skelton, James Slipper, Henry Speight, Joe Tomane, Matt Toomua, Nic White.
