Schmidt revealed he has been in touch “for a long time” with O’Connor, who has played at two World Cups and been capped 64 times by Australia.
Donaldson, 26, and Lynagh, 22, have a combined total of 20 caps.
“Our 10s are young in experience,” Schmidt said. “I spoke to Tom Lynagh about the influence James had on him and his development [at Queensland Reds] which was positive.
“I spoke to David Havili, who is with the AUNZ Invitational team at the moment. I’ve coached him and have a lot of time for his opinion, and he said James was a real help with the two young 10s at the Crusaders.
“They were all positives and James in his own right has played solidly, coming on at the back end of games for the Crusaders.
“He will be playing catch-up but he is experienced enough to catch up quickly.”
Will Skelton, the man-mountain lock, and Rob Valetini, the powerful back row, both make it despite being troubled by injury. They’re both still fighting to be fit for the opening Test in Queensland.
The gargantuan prop, Taniela Tupou, has been included despite sounding almost resigned to not being involved after numerous injuries have impacted on his influence.
He’s heading for Paris next season but Schmidt is keeping Tupou involved with the Wallabies for now, presumably in the hope that the immense player of a few years back can find himself again.
Schmidt did not name his captain for the series and added he wants to make sure they are “fully fit”.
Number eight Harry Wilson, who scored a late try to defeat Fiji on Sunday in the Wallabies’ only warm-up game, captained the side to that victory and in November against England, Scotland and Ireland.
Squad members Slipper and Skelton have also captained Australia in the past.
“A couple of the guys who have captained us recently have had a few knocks so we just want to be sure once we nominate a captain he is going to follow through,” Schmidt said.
“It is not until they report for duty do you get a hands on look. Harry did have a few things [knocks] from the game on Sunday.
“Harry has led us a couple of times recently. He’d be one of the players at the forefront of our thinking.”
