Kangaroos Invitational plus Timmins
gets a call-up

Brett Kimmorley will lead Australia for the first time on Saturday night in Townsville, as the Kangaroos line-up against Papua New Guinea in a warm-up clash prior to the Tri-Nations later in the month in the U.K.

Home-town hero Matt Bowen will wear the number 1 jersey and don the green and gold for the first time, with three other debutants in Matt Cooper, Luke Rooney and Tonie Carroll. Carroll will partner Brent Tate in the centres and was the centre of much attention recently for becoming the first player in 90-odd years to represent both New Zealand and Australia.

There are also six Junior Kangaroo's in the team making their senior representative debut's in an exciting concept for the game in Australia. This will make the match more interesting, with the Kumuls used to copping a hiding from the Aussies, and the juniors taking part will be exposed to a great standard of footy.

The entire bench is comprised from the Junior squad, along with Ben Creagh and Heath L'Estrange who are starting at second-row and hooker respectively.

In other news, St George Illawarra utility Shaun Timmins has been given a late reprieve by selectors following the withdrawal of Sydney's Michael Crocker. The Rooster hit-man has been ruled out with a neck injury, giving rise to Timmins whose omission last Sunday night was a little controversial.

Timmins now has to cut short his post-season holiday to Bali and get on a plane to the UK.

The Team v PNG reads as follows: Matt Bowen Matt Cooper Brent Tate Tonie Carroll Luke Rooney Scott Hill Brett Kimmorley (c) Ben Kennedy Ben Creagh Nathan Hindmarsh Jason Ryles Heath L'Estrange Petero Civoniceva Interchange: Berrick Barnes, Sam Thaiday, Keith Galloway and Tom Learoyd.