Greg Inglis has failed in his bid to face New Zealand in next Sunday’s one-off rugby league Test at Newcastle after succumbing to an ankle injury.
Inglis’ place on the Four Nations tour later this month is now in doubt, with Parramatta-bound Willie Tonga called into the squad and straight into the team where he’ll line up at centre alongside Chris Lawrence.
Inglis will be given time to prove his fitness before the team leaves for London on October 21 but he’s still feeling the effects of the injury he sustained in round 25 against Brisbane.
Meanwhile, Manly star Brett Stewart has withdrawn from the tour just three days after his brother Glenn withdrew on compassionate grounds.
Stewart was facing a battle with Darius Boyd to be the deputy to Billy Slater, but a long-standing knee problem that’s plagued him during the season has ruled him out of a first Kangaroos’ tour.
Departing St George Illawarra fullback Boyd has been picked ahead of Brisbane’s Jharal Yow Yeh to partner Newcastle’s Akuila Uate on the wings.
Cronulla enforcer Paul Gallen will partner North Queensland co-captain Matt Scott in the front row, with coach Tim Sheens employing the same tactics as NSW mentor Ricky Stuart by picking the regular lock forward at prop.
Manly’s Anthony Watmough will pack down at lock, with Broncos backrower Sam Thaiday and Penrith’s Luke Lewis filling the second row spots.
Retiring great Darren Lockyer will play his last game on Australian soil as captain, partnering Johnathan Thurston in the halves.
Debutant forwards Keith Galloway and Tony Williams headline a sizeable bench, which also includes Canberra’s David Shillington, as well as Melbourne utility Cooper Cronk.
Team: Billy Slater, Akuila Uate, Willie Tonga, Chris Lawrence, Darius Boyd, Darren Lockyer (capt), Johnathan Thurston, Paul Gallen, Cameron Smith, Matt Scott, Luke Lewis, Sam Thaiday, Anthony Watmough. Int: Cooper Cronk, Keith Galloway, David Shillington, Tony Williams.
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