Australian and New
Zealand teams for Anzac Test

Australian and New Zealand selectors have named their teams for the Anzac Test match to be played at 7.30pm this Friday, 5th May 2006, at Suncorp Stadium.

The game is sure to be a blockbuster with plenty of scores to be settled following last year's victory in the Tri-Nations final by New Zealand over Australia.

Cowboys five-eighth Johnathan Thurston makes his debut for the Kangaroos after being named on the bench. Most of the rest of the team is as expected, with Willie Mason joining forces with Petero Civoniceva for the first time in the front row following the omission of Dragons prop Luke Bailey. Dragons centre pairing of Mark Gasnier and Matt Cooper have held their positions in the face of some stiff competition. And bench spots have been awarded to in-form forwards Steve Menzies and Steve Simpson.

The Kiwis have named a 19-man squad to be trimmed down one hour before kick-off. Tame Tupou (Broncos), Steve Matai (Sea Eagles) and David Fa'ologo (Rabbitohs) haven't yet represented their nation, with at least one set to make their debut.

Australia Kangaroos
Anthony Minichiello (Roosters)
Matt King (Storm)
Mark Gasnier (Dragons)
Matt Cooper (Dragons)
Timana Tahu (Eels)
Darren Lockyer (Broncos) (c)
Andrew Johns (Knights)
Willie Mason (Bulldogs)
Danny Buderus (Knights)
Petero Civoniceva (Broncos)
Luke O'Donnell (Cowboys)
Nathan Hindmarsh (Eels)
Ben Kennedy (Sea Eagles)
Interchange:
Johnathan Thurston (Cowboys)
Mark O'Meley (Bulldogs)
Steve Menzies (Sea Eagles)
Steve Simpson (Knights)

New Zealand Kiwis 19-man Squad
Brent Webb (Warriors)
Clinton Toopi (Warriors)
Steve Matai (Manly)
Tame Tupou (Brisbane),
Nigel Vagana (Cronulla),
Jake Webster (Melbourne)
Paul Whatuira (Wests Tigers)
Thomas Leuluai (London Harlequins)
Benji Marshall (Wests Tigers)
Louis Anderson (New Zealand Warriors)
Roy Asotasi (Bulldogs)
Jason Cayless (St Helens)
Nathan Cayless (Parramatta)
David Fa'alogo (South Sydney)
David Faiumu (North Queensland)
David Kidwell (Melbourne)
Frank Pritchard (Penrith)
Ruben Wiki (Warriors)
Sonny Bill Williams (Bulldogs)

(Two to be omitted)