Date: 26/4/16
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:
Position Player NRL Club Junior Club
Fullback Darius Boyd Brisbane Broncos Mudgeeraba Redbacks
Wing Semi Radradra Parramatta Eels Wentworthville (NSW Cup)
Centre Greg Inglis South Sydney Rabbitohs Bowraville Tigers
Centre Josh Dugan St George Illawarra Dragons South Tuggeranong Knights/Valley Dragons
Wing Blake Ferguson Sydney Roosters Wellington Cowboys/Earlwood Saints
Five-Eighth Johnathan Thurston North Queensland Cowboys Souths Sunnybank
Halfback Cooper Cronk Melbourne Storm Souths Acacia
Prop Matt Scott North Queensland Cowboys Longreach Tigers
Hooker Cameron Smith © Melbourne Storm Logan Brothers
Prop Paul Gallen Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks Wentworthville
Second Row Josh Papalii Canberra Raiders Logan Brothers
Second Row Matt Gillett Brisbane Broncos Bribie Island Warrigals
Lock Corey Parker Brisbane Broncos Logan Brothers
Interchange Josh McGuire Brisbane Broncos Aspley
Interchange Michael Morgan North Queensland Cowboys Townsville Brothers
Interchange James Tamou North Queensland Cowboys Levin Knights/Paddington Tigers
Interchange Sam Thaiday Brisbane Broncos Townsville Brothers
18th man Aidan Guerra Sydney Roosters Townsville Brothers
