South Sydney star Greg Inglis remains touch-and-go for next Sunday’s one-off rugby league Test clash with New
Zealand in Newcastle.
Kangaroos coach Tim Sheens will name his side on Friday morning for the game at Ausgrid Stadium and Inglis
is battling to be fit after injuring his ankle at the
back end of South Sydney’s NRL campaign last month.
Should the Queensland superstar be passed fit to play, he’s certain to line up with Chris Lawrence in the centres.
The
selection would be a silver lining in what has been an injury-plagued
season for the classy Wests Tigers star, who’s battled back from a
dislocated hip that had threatened to end his career.
After
looking back to his best upon his return to action in round 18, Lawrence
tore his hamstring in round 22, before recovering to take part in the
Tigers’ finals campaign.
Canberra prop David Shillington is
another player who was beset by injury in 2011 but having fought back
from a torn biceps muscle, he is set to form an all-Queensland front row
with Cameron Smith and Matt Scott.
The game will also be skipper Darren Lockyer’s final game on Australian soil.
The
34-year-old has made good progress after smashing his cheekbone in
Brisbane’s epic 13-12 win over St George Illawarra three weeks ago.
However,
he was adamant he would have been able to play in last week’s grand
final had Brisbane beaten Manly in the preliminary final and is sure to
be in the side.
Manly backrower Anthony Watmough could be
rewarded for a stand-out season for the Sea Eagles with a spot in the
back row alongside Brisbane’s Sam Thaiday and NSW skipper Paul Gallen.
Jhral
Yow-Yeh, who scored on his international debut in the Test clash with
the Kiwis on the Gold Coast in May, is favourite to retain his spot on
the wing from Darius Boyd.
Newcastle flyer Akuila Uate will give
the locals something to cheer about when he lines up on the opposite
flank for his international debut.
Possible team: Billy
Slater, Jhral Yow Yeh, Greg Inglis, Chris Lawrence, Akuila Uate, Darren
Lockyer (capt), Johnathan Thurston, Matt Scott, Cameron Smith, David
Shillington, Anthony Watmough, Sam Thaiday, Paul Gallen. Int: Cooper
Cronk, Luke Lewis, Dave Taylor, Keith Galloway.