Veteran Tim Mikkelson, former captain DJ Forbes and former All Black Liam Messam have been ruled out through injury, robbing the squad off a huge amount of experience.
Regular skipper Scott Curry remains sidelined as he continues his recovery from shoulder surgery.
Coach Sir Gordon Tietjens said with four of his 16-man squad injured it made it easy to pick his playing 12 and says it gives the squad's fringe members a chance to impress before he selects his side for the Rio Olympics.