Australian team to play New Zealand in Anzac Test in Canberra

TRENT Merrin has survived the chop and Will Chambers has been called up to replace the injured Greg Inglis. FULL KANGAROOS SQUAD.

JOHNATHAN Thurston has been named for the Kangaroos match against New Zealand next Friday as he looks to return from injury.

Thurston has missed the last two weeks with a leg injury but was selected alongside Cooper Cronk once again with James Maloney on standby should the Queenslander be unavailable.

Will Chambers has claimed the spot left vacant by the injured Greg Inglis while Dave Klemmer will start at prop.

Trent Merrin has been retained despite his ordinary start to the season, as has Michael Morgan on the bench.

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The struggling Trent Merrin has kept his spot in the Australian team despite his poor form.

Chambers is the only member of the team who was not part of last year’s victorious Four Nations squad.

Cameron Smith, who will beccome the second player to reach 50 Test matches for Australia after Darren Lockyer (59) will captain the team.

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Meninga said that given the short preparation, he and Kangaroos selectors had looked to reward those who played in the successful Four Nations campaign in 2016.

“Not only do these players have established combinations with each other, but they are also well aware of our values,” Meninga said.

“However the State of Origin series and then the remainder of the NRL Premiership will be major considerations when we look to name our squad for the World Cup later this year.”

Considered the luckiest to survive the axe, Meninga defended the selection of the out-of-form Merrin.

“Trent’s playing in a team that’s struggling, he’s trying hard and working really hard for the team,” Meninga said.

With Billy Slater also getting back to his best, Meninga said he came close to getting a call-up.

“We agonised over it (but) Darius deserved to retain his spot. He is in great form at the moment.”

Johnathan Thurston has been named despite injury.

In the only unforced change, Canberra forward Josh Papalii replaces clubmate Shannon Boyd.

Thurston was included in an extended squad to face Parramatta on Friday, but he’s no certainty play.

But Meninga is confident the long-time Kangaroos five-eighth will be fit to play in Canberra although James Maloney is on standby as 19th man.

“He doesn’t have to play that game on the weekend. He’s a pretty experienced player. Knowing John, he’ll want to play in the Test match, if fully fit,” Meninga said..

“He’ll come into camp and through our protocols, he’ll go through a medical and we’ll make some decisions around him on the Sunday.”

“It’s one of the reasons James Maloney is named as 19th man as well, just in case.”

FULL TEAM

1. Darius Boyd 2. Blake Ferguson 3. Josh Dugan 4. Will Chambers 5. Valentine Holmes 6. Johnathan Thurston 7. Cooper Cronk 8. Aaron Woods 9. Cameron Smith (c) 10. David Klemmer 11. Boyd Cordner 12. Matt Gillett 13. Trent Merrin 14. Michael Morgan 15. Josh Papalii 16. Tyson Frizell 17. Sam Thaiday 18. Shannon Boyd 19. James Maloney 20. Justin O’Neill