Smith Returns To Kangaroo Team

Australia have named veteran Darren Smith in their squad for the third Test against Great Britain in Huddersfield. Smith, who spent 2003 playing for St Helens, has been recalled at the age of 35 after a four-year absence.

He is the only change made by coach Chris Anderson following last weekend's Ashes-clinching 23-20 win in Hull.

"It's a Test match, and we wanted to pick our strongest side," Anderson said as the visitors seek to sweep a series that Britain had been tipped to win.

Smith is recalled due to injuries to Ryan Girdler, Phil Bailey, Shannon Hegarty and Craig Gower.

Utility forward Michael Crocker takes over the stand-off role on Saturday from Gower, who tore a calf muscle at the KC Stadium - with Smith filling the vacancy on the bench.

Smith's joy comes in contrast to the disappointment of Joel Clinton, Richard Villasanti and winger Luke Lewis, who will return home without playing in the Test series.

But Anderson defended his selection, saying consistency was an important ingredient of success.

"We just feel the defensive patterns are right and were reluctant to make too many changes.

"Michael Crocker can play his normal game, and Darren Lockyer can jump in and give us some width.

"He brings a lot of enthusiasm and he will take the ball up, so he will add an extra forward to us. We are not planning to go round them."

Anderson showed sympathy for the unused players but said there was no room for sentiment.

"It's tough for blokes who didn't get a start, but we have to go with what we consider our strongest side.

"They are disappointed they're not in the team, which is only natural. But the blokes are on a learning exercise, and I think they see it that way.

"They will go back and be much improved footballers." ------

Australia: Lockyer (Brisbane, capt); Minichiello (Sydney Roosters), De Vere (Brisbane), Wing (Sydney Roosters), Sing (North Queensland); Crocker (Sydney Roosters), Kimmorley (Cronulla); Webcke (Brisbane), Buderus (Newcastle), Kearns (Melbourne), Fitzgibbon (Sydney Roosters), Simpson (Newcastle), Ricketson (Sydney Roosters). Substitutes: Civoniceva (Brisbane), Waterhouse (Penrith), Mason (Canterbury), Smith (St Helens).