Rugby League: Kiwis team named for one-off test

Roger Tuivasa-Sheck will return to the Kiwis fold for the one-off test. Photo / Getty Images

The Kiwis will rely on the bulk of last year's Four Nations winning side and welcome four players back to the international fold for next Friday's Anzac test in Brisbane.

Coach Stephen Kearney and his selectors have named an 18-man squad but are expected to settle on a firm starting line-up on Monday.

Ben Matulino, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Dallin Watene-Zelzniak and Sam Moa have all been included after missing the Four Nations.

A string of injuries kept Matulino out of test football last year but his strong NRL form for the Warriors has seen him earn a front-row starting spot with incumbent prop Jesse Bromwich.

Tuivasa-Sheck was unavailable for the Four Nations but returns to the side after starring in the fullback role for the Sydney Roosters, while club mate Moa is back after a family illness meant he was unavailable for the end of year campaign.

Teenage Panthers winger Watene-Zelezniak's selection comes after he missed his scheduled debut appearance in the Four Nations opener in Brisbane, when he broke a bone in his foot at the beach during the team's build-up.

"All of these players have been in good form so far this season and really put their hands up for inclusion in this Anzac test side," said Kearney.

"It's a sign that we are developing some great young talent and good depth in certain positions."

Kieran Foran and Lewis Brown overcame hamstring and rib problems to get through their Anzac weekend NRL matches and secure their spots, but incumbent centre Dean Whare and lock Jason Taumalolo were both ruled out with injury.

Whare has nursed a hamstring strain for several weeks and could not take the field for Penrith's win over Cronulla yesterday, while Taumalolo left the field early with knee ligament damage during North Queensland's win over Newcastle on Saturday.

Four Nations and 2008 World Cup winner Greg Eastwood will fill the No13 jersey in his absence.

"It's disappointing to lose those lads, but that's the nature of the game sometimes," said Kearney.

"We wish them both a speedy recovery and we have total confidence in the players that take the field on Friday night.

"We believe this team is capable of a job for us this week and it's also an opportunity to take another step towards our ultimate goal - the 2017 World Cup."

The Kangaroos have chosen four debutants - Alex Johnston (Rabbitohs), Josh Dugan (Dragons), Will Chambers (Storm) and Trent Merrin (Dragons) - in an extended 20-man squad.

Johnston and Dugan will both start on the flanks and Chambers in the midfield, while Merrin will come off the interchange bench.

Melbourne fullback Billy Slater reclaims his position after missing the Four Nations but is in doubt as he continues to overcome a shoulder injury sustained against the Warriors three weeks ago.

Should he fail to pass a fitness test on Tuesday, Greg Inglis will move to fullback and Michael Jennings, who was named as 19th man in an extended squad, will come in to the centres.

Kiwis squad for Friday's Anzac Test: Jesse Bromwich (Melbourne Storm), Lewis Brown (Penrith Panthers), Greg Eastwood (Canterbury Bulldogs), Kieran Foran (Manly Sea Eagles), Tohu Harris (Melbourne Storm), Peta Hiku (Manly Sea Eagles), Shaun Johnson (NZ Warriors), Shaun Kenny-Dowall (Sydney Roosters), Thomas Leuluai (NZ Warriors), Issac Luke (South Sydney Rabbitohs), Simon Mannering (NZ Warriors), Ben Matulino (ZN Warriors), Sam Moa (Sydney Roosters), Kevin Proctor (Melbourne Storm), Matin Taupau (Wests Tigers), Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (Sydney Roosters), Manu Vatuvei (NZ Warriors) and Dallin Watene-Zelezniak (Penrith Panthers).