Motu Tony's Kiwi Hopes Alive

Motu Tony remains confident of retaining his place in the Kiwi test team for the one-off clash with Australia despite missing Brisbane's past three games with a knee injury.

Tony is scheduled to make his return for Brisbane's feeder club Toowoomba this weekend, but will cover for 17-year-old whiz-kid Karmichael Hunt in the senior squad after the youngster suffered a wrist injury at training on Tuesday.

Hunt injured his wrist after landing awkwardly during a wrestling drill with Casey McGuire and immediately left the training paddock to receive treatment.

After starring at fullback in last year's 30-16 win over the Kangaroos, Tony admitted he needed a big game this weekend to retain his New Zealand jersey with both test squads named after the completion of the round.

"I know that if I can get back on the field for the Broncos and get some good footy under the belt it will take care of itself," Tony said.

"Hopefully this weekend I can get a good run and see how things go. If I get picked I'm happy but if I don't I can't control that."

Tony trained at full-pace for the first time this morning since suffering a medial ligament strain during Brisbane's round two loss against Parramatta.

Brisbane's sole off-season signing, Tony declared himself a certain starter after feeling no discomfort during the physical training session.

"I had a good workout," he said.

"It was a tough session and I came through with flying colours. My knee felt fine but it was a bit tough on the lungs."

However Tony won't be the only Brisbane player put under the microscope of national selectors this weekend with up to nine Broncos in line for test jerseys.

Darren Lockyer is a certain selection as the incumbent Kangaroos skipper but whether he lines up at fullback or five-eighth against the Kiwis remains a mystery.

Broncos forwards Shane Webcke and Petero Civoniceva are almost automatic selections for the national side with Dane Carlaw also pushing for inclusion after an outstanding game against the Roosters.

Outside backs Brent Tate, Shaun Berrigan and Mick De Vere will also feature heavily in selection talks, while Hunt may be a dark horse for a Kiwi jersey if he pledges his national allegiance to New Zealand.

With the New Zealand Warriors wallowing at the bottom of the NRL ladder, Tony didn't think his old team's poor form would affect the Kiwis' performance.

"The Kiwis always tend to grow another leg when they play the Aussies and hopefully the Warriors will get it together because they're an important part of the Kiwi side," he said.