Cronulla Sharks five-eight James Maloney is set to make his Australian Kangaroos debut this Friday night in the opening match of the 2016 Four Nations Series.
Having helped lead the Sharks to our maiden NRL premeirship, Maloney's rich form throughtout 2016 proved too much for Australian test selectors to ignore.
In earning his place in the Kangaroos side, Maloney now becomes the 26th Sharks player to don the green and gold of the national side following on from team mates Valentine Holmes' debut in the previous test.
Kangaroos Coach Mal Meninga has named five debutants for the opening Four Nations match against Scotland, at Hull's KC Lightstream Stadium on Friday.
Fullback Matt Moylan (Kangaroo No 812), centre Justin O'Neill (813), five-eighth James Maloney (811), lock Jake Trbojevic (814) and interchange player Jake Friend (815) will all play in the green and gold jersey for the first time.
Cooper Cronk will play his 30th Test match for Australia against the Bravehearts.
"I always planned to ensure the entire 24-man squad has played across the Perth Test and the Four Nations match against Scotland and that will set us up nicely for the rest of the tournament," Kangaroos Coach Mal Meninga said.
"I do have an idea of what my best possible squad would be but all players know they can break into the top team with a strong performance."
No. Player Kangaroo No.
1 Matt Moylan 812*
2 Josh Mansour 790
3 Justin O'Neill 813*
4 Josh Dugan 801
5 Blake Ferguson 804
6 James Maloney 811*
7 Cooper Cronk 744
8 Aaron Woods 793
9 Cameron Smith © 738
10 David Klemmer 797
11 Sam Thaiday 739
12 Tyson Frizell 810
13 Jake Trbojevic 814*
14 Jake Friend 815*
15 Shannon Boyd 808
16 Trent Merrin 803
17 Michael Morgan 807
18 Valentine Holmes 809
19 Boyd Cordner 787
* Denotes debutant
