Gower to
captain Kangaroos against the French

Craig Gower will captain Australia for the first time when the Kangaroos take on France in a one-off rugby league Test in Perpignan on Saturday.

Gower will take over from Darren Lockyer as five-eighth and captain after Lockyer broke a bone in his foot at training yesterday. Coach Wayne Bennett won't finalise his team until tomorrow, with Sydney Roosters utility Craig Wing tipped to start at hooker after linking with the Kangaroos following the injuries to Lockyer and back rower Nathan Hindmarsh.

Wing is expected to arrive in Perpignan tomorrow from Sydney after getting his call-up for national duty.