Mal Meninga has named his Kangaroos side to face the Kiwis in Canberra on May 5 for the final mid-year Anzac Test, favouring experience and sticking by many of the players who won the Four Nations last year.
While Meninga’s hand has been forced with some key injuries forcing veteran players out of the side, he has stuck by most of the side from last year’s final Test.
Greg Inglis and Matt Scott have both been ruled out for most of the NRL season with injury, and while the pair are a chance to return for the Rugby League World Cup, they aren’t available for Meninga’s squad.
They have been replaced by Will Chambers, who slots into the centres and will play inside Cronulla young gun Valentine Holmes.
The front row has undergone a total revamp. Matt Scott has been joined on the sidelines by Raiders prop Shannon Boyd, with Wests Tigers captain Aaron Woods and Bulldogs front-rower David Klemmer taking the eight and ten jerseys respectively.
There were questions over the fitness of Johnathan Thurston as well, but he has been named in the side with Mal Meninga citing his professionalism at the press conference.
Despite that, Michael Morgan has retained his utility spot on the bench while Sharks premiership winning half James Maloney, who is in the running to get another New South Blues jersey in the State of Origin series this year, has been included in the squad as a back-up in the halves.
Justin O’Neill and Shannon Boyd have also been named as cover in the 20-man squad.
“This is an incredibly important game for us, coming in a World Cup year,” Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga said.
Cameron Smith will once again captain the side in his 50th Test and 27th as captain, becoming the second player to reach the half-century after legend Darren Lockyer.
“Any Test match is important, but the fact this will be Cameron’s 50th Test match certainly adds some extra significance,” said Meninga.
“Cameron’s incredible milestones will form a significant part of our week.”
Billy Slater was another in contention for the fullback spot after he made his return from injury a month ago, but he was overlooked for selection with Darius Boyd maintaining his spot at the back. Blake Ferguson and Josh Dugan will again line up as a centre and wing combination, while Cooper Cronk joins Thurston in the halves.
Boyd Cordner, Matt Gillett and Trent Merrin all retain their starting spots, while there are no changes to the bench from the victory over New Zealand in Perth last year.
The Kangaroos-Kiwis match headlines a bumper weekend of international rugby league. It will follow the Australian Jilaroos versus Kiwi Ferns women’s Test in Canberra, while the final City-Country fixture will be played in Mudgee on Sunday.
The Saturday will feature three international Test matches in Campbelltown, with the Cook Islands set to face Papua New Guinea, Tonga to play Fiji and Samoa to headline the afternoon against a travelling England side under the guidance of Wayne Bennett.
Full Kangaroos side to face Kiwis
1. Darius Boyd (Brisbane Broncos)
2. Blake Ferguson (Sydney Roosters)
3. Josh Dugan (St George Illawarra Dragons)
4. Will Chambers (Melbourne Storm)
5. Valentine Holmes (Cronulla Sharks)
6. Johnathan Thurston (North Queensland Cowboys)
7. Cooper Cronk (Melbourne Storm)
8. Aaron Woods (Wests Tigers)
9. Cameron Smith (c) (Melbourne Storm)
10. David Klemmer (Canterbury Bulldogs)
11. Boyd Cordner (Sydney Roosters)
12. Matt Gillett (Brisbane Broncos)
13. Trent Merrin (Penrith Panthers)
Interchange
14. Michael Morgan (North Queensland Cowboys)
15. Josh Papalii (Canberra Raiders)
16. Tyson Frizell (St George Illawarra Dragons)
17. Sam Thaiday (Brisbane Broncos)
18. Shannon Boyd (Canberra Raiders)
19. James Maloney (Cronulla Sharks)
20. Justin O’Neill (North Queensland Cowboys)
Jeff Dustby
Guest
They need him . They gave thaiday and have played McQueen
Jeff Dustby
Guest
Thaiday?
Jeff Dustby
Guest
Well, he always had Inglis, Lockyer, JT, smith and skater in their primes It won't work anymore
Jeff Dustby
Guest
Nice one
Renegade
Roar Guru
Because his the best 2nd rower in the game right now and playing better than them... pretty obvious really.... besides all 3 could've been picked with Thaiday missing out.
Emcie
Roar Guru
Himself, and he's threatening to release them
johnno
Guest
There is enough in Meninga's team to win the test. We could select 2 more full teams talented enough to do the same It's a shame that the best in form players aren't selected in some positions but this is an age old issue I consider Ferguson , Dugan, Holmes Merrin and O'neill extremely lucky to be considered let alone selected All due respect to Cordner but Qld don't need him Let's see the real talent in State of Origin
Kevin
Guest
Booo. Aaron Woods has done nothing all year (not to mention the disruption he has caused at the Tigers) Merrin in average form. I just don't understand why they don't pick the form players not the 'big' names.
eagleJack
Roar Guru
The Maroons would love to have Boyd Cordner
Alex L
Roar Rookie
In direct competition with Cordner and Frizell I'm not sure how Graham's omission can be called a "massive injustice". Ferguson deserved to retain his spot on his 4N campaign last year, regardless of his good but not great club form. Dugan and Merrin could both be improved upon, but in a short campaign and with some other reshuffles I understand sticking with the incumbents.
Jimmmy
Guest
Somebody who understands that putting together a hodge podgy of ' form' players is no substitute for a real team. I really rate this Aussie team with the exception of Wade Graham in for Merrin. Otherwise it's a gun team.
Steve
Guest
I'm disappointed as an Australian fan, but as a QLD fan I'm excited. This pretty much locks in Dugan, Ferguson, Cordner and Merrin for origin. Great work Mal!
Big Daddy
Guest
Meninga and selectors get hammered because of selection for this test. This is because this is a nothing test. Real selection will come for SOO and world cup. I am sure there will be a different side then.
eagleJack
Roar Guru
I'd be more than happy with those changes. The WC squad will be solid
Kaks
Roar Guru
I understand everyone wanting the 'best' players available, but this is a test team. They dont have the luxury of playing with each other on multiple occasions, which is why continuity in the team - or 'loyalty' - must be considered. QLD have done this pretty well in the past. There have been times where QLD have not picked the 'best available' in all position on the pitch, but instead picked players who have been there, done that, and have an understanding with their teammates and dont look out of place during the origin series. Sometimes the 'best available' isn't necessarily the best team.
Matt
Guest
Mal stated there will be only two training sessions for the Kangaroos. Unfortunately that has clearly impacted the selection of a few players who will get another rep bonus payment despite 'average' form to date in 2017. Despite only two training sessions, there remains a strong core to this squad so I reckon there would be little risk bringing in some new and deserved faces. Therefore, I would argue that Leilua, Turbo Tommy, and Vaughan deserved a crack. Its a one-off match. Use it as a preparation for the World Cup. Arguments about Leilua's temperament would be put to bed if he was found to be 100% committed during the rep week and likewise on the field. As it stands, that argument will persist until he gets an opportunity at rep level to show otherwise. Personally, Merrin out for Graham, Thaiday out for Vaughan. Ferguson out for Turbo Tommy and Dugan out for Leilua.
Herman Hoth
Guest
I think it's a pretty good team actually. Morgan and Merrin are out of form and probably don't deserve to be there based on that. Wade Graham would feel hard done by but he'll be picked in the World Cup squad. He should have been the bench utility. I would have like to have seen Thaiday drop to 18th man and Shannon Boyd make the bench. Otherwise the team looks quite strong, our two second rowers are 100% certified beasts and throw in Frizell, Papalii and Klemmer and there is plenty of muscle up front. Thaiday does tend to lift for rep games and his form hasn't been too bad of late. Mal does prefer to pick mobile forwards but not having a genuine prop on the bench is risky.
Jeffrey
Guest
With Kidwell as coach, Mal could have picked the third best available team and they would still beat the Kiwis. This team will win by 15-20 points against an average Kiwis outfit.
Magnus M. Østergaard
Roar Guru
If Meninga is successful it doesnt matter. Theres the difference.
eagleJack
Roar Guru
Yeah understand that. I reckon we'll see some significant changes for the WC squad. The Kiwis have the potential to name a great side (ex SKD and Lewis Brown) But on paper doesn't win games. The Aussies will have supremely better game managers.