Sharks back rower Luke Lewis has been named in the Holden Kangaroo squad for the ANZAC Test match against New Zealand on Friday.
The match, which will be Lewis’s 16th for Australia, will be played at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane.
He has been named on the interchange bench.
Despite coming off the field during the first half after an injury scare, Lewis returned in the second half and is confident he will be fit to play the Test next Friday.
After missing the first two games of the season, Lewis had since regained top form, playing an integral role in the Sharks three wins prior to today’s disappointing loss to the Panthers.
While Lewis and a number of his teammates have a wealth of international experience, four players – Alex Johnston, Josh Dugan, Will Chambers and Trent Merrin – have been selected to make their Test debuts.
Chambers will become the 800th player to represent Australia, while Johnston made his NRL debut exactly one year ago yesterday.
Melbourne’s Cameron Smith has been chosen to lead the Kangaroos for the 20th time. He joins only five players who have led his country in 20 or more Tests – Darren Lockyer (38), Clive Churchill (27), Brad Fittler (25), Mal Meninga (24) and Wally Lewis (24).
The Holden Kangaroos Australian team for the ANZAC Test is all follows;
Fullback Billy Slater Melbourne Storm
Wing Alex Johnston South Sydney Rabbitohs
Centre Greg Inglis South Sydney Rabbitohs
Centre Will Chambers Melbourne Storm
Wing Josh Dugan St George Illawarra Dragons
Five-Eighth Johnathan Thurston North Queensland Cowboys
Halfback Cooper Cronk Melbourne Storm
Prop Matt Scott North Queensland Cowboys
Hooker Cameron Smith © Melbourne Storm
Prop Aaron Woods Wests Tigers
Second Row Greg Bird Gold Coast Titans
Second Row Sam Thaiday Brisbane Broncos
Lock Corey Parker Brisbane Broncos
Interchange Luke Lewis Cronulla Sharks
Interchange Trent Merrin St George Illawarra Dragons
Interchange Nate Myles Gold Coast Titans
Interchange James Tamou North Queensland Cowboys
18th man Daly Cherry-Evans Manly Warringah Sea Eagles
19th man Michael Jennings Sydney Roosters
20th man Josh Papalii Canberra Raiders
