Nine NSW-eligible players have been included in the Kangaroos squad for Friday week's Anzac Test between Australia and New Zealand.
Blake Ferguson, Josh Dugan, Andrew Fifita, David Klemmer, Boyd Cordner, Trent Merrin, Tyson Frizell, Jordan McLean and James Maloney are included in the strong Australian line-up.
UPDATE: NSW VB Blues incumbent Andrew Fifita has been called in for Aaron Woods, who has withdrawn with a groin injury. Shannon Boyd has also been withdrawn with a lower leg injury, with NSW-eligible Jordan McLean replacing him as 18th man.
The team, featuring 17 likely starters and an 18th, 19th and 20th man, is as follows:
Position |
Player |
NRL Club |
Fullback |
Darius Boyd |
Brisbane Broncos |
Wing |
Blake Ferguson |
Sydney Roosters |
Centre |
Josh Dugan |
St George Illawarra Dragons |
Centre |
Will Chambers |
Melbourne Storm |
Wing |
Valentine Holmes |
Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks |
Five-Eighth |
Johnathan Thurston (vc) |
North Queensland Cowboys |
Halfback |
Cooper Cronk |
Melbourne Storm |
Prop |
Andrew Fifita |
Cronulla Sharks |
Hooker |
Cameron Smith (c) |
Melbourne Storm |
Prop |
David Klemmer |
Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs |
Second Row |
Boyd Cordner |
Sydney Roosters |
Second Row |
Matt Gillett |
Brisbane Broncos |
Lock |
Trent Merrin |
Penrith Panthers |
Interchange |
Michael Morgan |
North Queensland Cowboys |
Interchange |
Josh Papalii |
Canberra Raiders |
Interchange |
Tyson Frizell |
St George Illawarra Dragons |
Interchange |
Sam Thaiday |
Brisbane Broncos |
18th man |
Jordan McLean |
Melbourne Storm |
19th man |
James Maloney |
Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks |
20th man |
Justin O’Neill |
North Queensland Cowboys |
The 2017 ANZAC Test match, against New Zealand at Canberra’s GIO Stadium on Friday, May 5, will be Australian Captain Cameron Smith’s 50th Test match, as well as his 27th as Captain.
Smith will become just the second player to play 50 Test matches for Australia, behind Darren Lockyer (59), while he will also join Clive Churchill as Australia’s second most capped captain.
The 20-man squad contains five Club captains (or co-captains) – Darius Boyd (Brisbane), Johnathan Thurston (North Queensland Cowboys), Aaron Woods (Wests Tigers), Cameron Smith (Melbourne Storm) and Boyd Cordner (Sydney Roosters).
“This is an incredibly important game for us, coming in a World Cup year,” Kangaroos Coach Mal Meninga said.
“Any Test match is important, but the fact this will be Cameron’s 50th Test match certainly adds some extra significance.
“Cameron’s incredible milestones will form a significant part of our week.”
For all the latest on the Kangaroos' clash with New Zealand stay locked on www.NSWRL.com.au
