Semi Radradra is set to make his Australian debut in the Anzac Test when coach Mal Meninga names his first Test team on Tuesday.
Paul Gallen will also be in the side to play New Zealand at Newcastle in two weeks.
Despite an entire round still to play before the May 6 Test at Hunter Stadium, Meninga will name his team five days earlier than scheduled in a bid get a jump start on preparations.
Parramatta star Radradra has earned a spot on the left wing after controversially nominating to play for Australia earlier this month through residential qualification.
He has previous played four Tests for Fiji in 2013 and 2014.
Debate has raged over whether the Eels winger should be allowed to pull on the green and gold after being told he was ineligible to play State of Origin because he hadn’t played rugby league before the age of 13.
But Meninga has made no apologies for considering the two-time Dally M Winger of the Year.
“If he’s the best left winger running around in Australian rugby league and he’s eligible to play for Australia, that’s what should happen,” Meninga told AAP.
“That’s the Australian jersey, you’ve got to give it to your best players. The ones that deserve it.”
Meninga hadn’t spoken with Gallen since taking over the top job in December, however the pair broke bread at the NSW Blues dinner on Wednesday night.
Gallen’s massive effort in Cronulla’s win over Penrith confirmed his place in what would be his first Test since 2014 due to a combination of a drug suspension and injuries.
Darius Boyd will line up at fullback and Greg Inglis at centre, with Josh Dugan on the other wing despite an underwhelming effort in the corresponding Test last year.
Michael Jennings, Justin O’Neill and Josh Morris are the contenders for the other centre spot.
The other contentious positions are the back-row and the interchange bench, although Cowboys pivot Michael Morgan is likely to fill the utility spot.
Australia will aim to end a three-game losing streak to the Kiwis, currently the world No.1 Test team, that stretches back to the mid-year Test in 2014.
Likely team: Darius Boyd, Semi Radradra, Michael Jennings, Greg Inglis, Josh Dugan, Johnathan Thurston, Cooper Cronk, Matt Scott, Cameron Smith (c), James Tamou, Greg Bird, Sam Thaiday, Corey Parker. Interchange: Michael Morgan, Paul Gallen, Trent Merrin, Matt Gillett.
Don
Roar Rookie
Gillett and Thaiday should count themselves very lucky. Dylan Napa, Gavin Cooper and Beau Scott are playing much better. Or Andrew Fifita is going well if you want some more size? Gavin Cooper running off JT is just a no brainer for mine.
Alex L
Roar Rookie
I'd suggest that Thaiday and Fifita aren't in direct competition; Thaiday is probably going to come on in the back row and maybe play a bit of lock if it's too rough going in the middle for Morgan to be used there.
maximillian
Guest
I actually like the News Ltd team better! Inglis normally plays left centre & Radradra left wing so I guess that means both Fergo & Dugan on the right. I think the Kiwis can potentially exploit that right edge so Kearney should target them. I still have question marks over the size of the Kangaroos pack, particularly as this will be played under RLIF rules of 12 interchanges. You don't need all those big minute forwards under those rules so I would've picked Klemmer or Fifita. It should be a good test though so Im really looking forward to it.
eagleJack
Roar Guru
Yeah I think I would prefer a bigger body on the bench over Thaiday. And Dugan is a query but I prefer him at centre over the wing. But all in all Im pretty happy with the team. Good to see Papalii rewarded for good early season form.
Alex L
Roar Rookie
Wow, Australia actually have bench props -- I thought they'd gone extinct after being eaten by a rampant Sheeniosaurus.
planko
Roar Guru
Your sharkies are going ok mate...
Renegade
Roar Guru
Yeah just seen it. Not a bad side - I would pick Jennings or Josh Morris at centre instead of Dugan... I notice Jennings is included on the extended bench so may still happen. Fifita should be on the bench instead of Thaiday. I think Corey Oates is more deserving of a spot on the wing than Ferguson too but not all that fussed by that selection. Apart from those two changes - I think the team that's picked is the best we've got.
maximillian
Guest
The eye
Guest
Would have liked to have seen Gavin Cooper rewarded here...better than Gillett at running the lines off JT, and doesn't drop it as often..
planko
Roar Guru
Damm.....
eagleJack
Roar Guru
Turns out this is Mal's team KANGAROOS TEAM: Darius Boyd, Semi Radradra, Greg Inglis, Josh Dugan, Blake Ferguson, Johnathan Thurston, Cooper Cronk, Matt Scott, Cameron Smith (c), Paul Gallen, Josh Papalii, Matt Gillett, Corey Parker. Bench: Josh McGuire, Michael Morgan, James Tamou, Sam Thaiday.
American Dave
Guest
He is eligible, end of story. Under your method, when is a player Australian enough to represent Australia? Fantasy stats do lie, they assign points for measurable, often attack focused activities. Hardly, a sound method for selecting an actual team. Ie, Matt Scott is only an average fantasy scorer. Are you suggesting he is left out?
eagleJack
Roar Guru
News Ltd are reporting the below team. Think I'm a bigger fan of it, as opposed to the one in this article. Ferguson on the wing. Papa a big inclusion. Powerful bench. Dugan a better centre than winger, although still a query. Thoughts? POSSIBLE KANGAROOS TEAM: Darius Boyd, Semi Radradra, Greg Inglis, Josh Dugan, Blake Ferguson, Johnathan Thurston, Cooper Cronk, Matt Scott, Cameron Smith (c), James Tamou, Matt Gillett, Sam Thaiday, Corey Parker. Bench: Michael Morgan, Josh Papalii, David Klemmer, Paul Gallen.
Alex L
Roar Rookie
Largely agree, though I could list some more in form Kiwis (example: Harris since moving back to the forwards), but if the Roos go in thinking it'll be an easy win they might well get ambushed -- there's an awful lot of ability in that Kiwi side and if they hit their groove while the Roos aren't fully switched on then they might well stay in it.
William Dalton Davis
Roar Rookie
Oates and Feldt would easily be ahead of Mansour. In fact I'm surprised that Dugan made the wing ahead of them.
Alex L
Roar Rookie
What did Dugan do to be selected on the wing ahead of Oates? For that matter why are Merrin and Gillett in ahead of McGuire too, in fact how does Klemmer not get a look in here -- the way he runs the ball and doesn't get stopped at the line like he's been shot makes him almost ideal for the international arena.
P. Marlowe
Guest
I am obviously biased as a Brisbane supporter but it seems a bit harsh to describe that Hunt-Milford combo as playing ugly football. Certainly compared to two years ago when Josh Hoffman was our starting 5/8.
Renegade
Roar Guru
I think, if that is the team... Gal will start and Tamou will go to the bench come kick-off.
Renegade
Roar Guru
Nope.
Renegade
Roar Guru
Gallen hasn't played in a losing Australian side since 2010...his last game was the 2014 Anzac test which is coincidentally the last time Australia defeated NZ. I think a big part of the reason we got flogged in the last 3 games were because guys like Gallen, Slater, Morris weren't playing. That said - I think we should pick the best available... I'm not sure we've done that. Dugan on the wing? Surely we could've picked a Corey Oates or even put Josh Morris there. I'd start Gillett and dump Thaiday for Papalii... Fifita should be on the bench, his been the best prop in the comp thus far this season and far more deserving than Merrin.