League: Greg Inglis still to join Kangaroos, determined to face Kiwis

Greg Inglis has remained in Sydney for the expected birth of his child but will join the Australians at their Fremantle base on Wednesday. Photo / Photosport.

Greg Inglis won't join Aaron Woods and Josh Mansour on the sidelines for the Kangaroos for Saturday's test against New Zealand in Perth due to personal reasons.

Inglis has remained in Sydney for the expected birth of his child on Monday but he will join the Australians at the Fremantle base likely on Wednesday.

Woods and Mansour were named as part of coach Mal Meninga's 24-man Four Nations squad, but will miss the Perth clash due to their respective weddings.

Inglis is expected to take the field at centre for his 35th test but he might only train with the Australian side at the captain's run on Friday.

Kangaroos five-eighth Johnathan Thurston said Inglis' limited preparation shouldn't be an issue.

"I have played a lot of football with Greggy on the left hand side there so we know each other's game really well," Thurston said on Monday.

"He is having the baby today and will rejoin us later this week and he will just slot straight in there.

"He has played big games before where he has been underprepared and really come out and done a good job for us."

Australia train for the first time in Perth on Monday afternoon, where the seven squad rookies will be given every chance to push for their test debut.

Cooper Cronk said part of Meninga's new values he had brought to the national side was the importance of family.

"Greg is planning on joining us later in the week, and I think he has every right to do so," Cronk said.

"Mal has made it family orientated and makes guys feel comfortable about that.

"It is a pretty important situation and I would be doing exactly as he would. He has our full support."

- AAP