The Australian Rugby League Commission has today selected the following players to represent the Australian Kangaroos in the 2016 Downer Test Match.
Four debutants – wingers Semi Radradra and Blake Ferguson and interchange players Josh McGuire and Michael Morgan – will play against the New Zealand Kiwis at Newcastle’s Hunter Stadium on Friday, May 6.
The match will mark Mal Meninga’s first match as Coach of the Kangaroos.
“This is a well-balanced squad and I’m extremely happy with it,” Meninga said.
“We have some experience as well as a handful of younger players who I am looking forward to seeing in this arena.
“It is the fourth most experienced line-up in Australia’s Test history but there will also be four players making their debuts.
“This is an incredibly important game for this group. I want to ensure the players have pride in the national jumper and my goal is to establish the Kangaroos back at the top of the international rankings.
“We have a Four Nations tournament at the end of this year and then a World Cup in 2017. This is the start of an important journey for the Kangaroos.”
The 2016 Kangaroos squad is:
- Fullback – Darius Boyd, Brisbane Broncos
- Wing – Semi Radradra, Parramatta Eels
- Centre – Greg Inglis, South Sydney Rabbitohs
- Centre – Josh Dugan, St George Illawarra Dragons
- Wing – Blake Ferguson, Sydney Roosters
- Five-Eighth – Johnathan Thurston, North Queensland Cowboys
- Halfback – Cooper Cronk, Melbourne Storm
- Prop – Matt Scott, North Queensland Cowboys
- Hooker – Cameron Smith (C), Melbourne Storm
- Prop – Paul Gallen, Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks
- Second Row – Josh Papalii, Canberra Raiders
- Second Row – Matt Gillett, Brisbane Broncos
- Lock – Corey Parker, Brisbane Broncos
- Interchange – Josh McGuire, Brisbane Broncos
- Interchange – Michael Morgan, North Queensland Cowboys
- Interchange – James Tamou, North Queensland Cowboys
- Interchange – Sam Thaiday, Brisbane Broncos
- 18th man – Aidan Guerra, Sydney Roosters
- 19th man – Michael Jennings, Parramatta Eels (withdrew 2 May due to injury)
Photo: The Test will be Meninga’s first as coach of the Kangaroos (nrlphotos.com)
