Australian test coach Mal Meninga has named five New South Welshmen to play New Zealand in Newcastle on 6 May.
The former Queensland Maroons mentor, who assured NSWRL.com.au last week of his impartiality, selected a squad of 18 to take on the Kiwis, with a mix of youth and experience in key positions. It signals a changing of the guard at international level - the Kangaroos haven't played since the same encounter a year ago - and may influence selection decisions for the State Of Origin series beginning in June.
Perhaps the biggest inclusion to the team is VB Blues captain Paul Gallen, whose stellar recent form at NRL level has seen him reinstated for the Australians.
Gallen has been named at prop, with other VB Blues reps named centre Josh Dugan, wing Blake Ferguson, bench forward James Tamou and 19th man Michael Jennings.
Full Australian Kangaroos Squad:
- 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
- Josh McGuire
- Michael Morgan
- James Tamou
- Sam Thaiday
- Aidan Guerra
- Michael Jennings
