Teams named for Tri-Nations opener
at Telstra Stadium

The Australian rugby league team to play New Zealand in Saturday night's Tri Nations opener at Telstra Stadium was named today.

Storm winger Matt King and Cowboys second rower Luke O?Donnell will make their test debuts for the Kangaroos in a new look team.

Parra?s Timana Tahu has won a spot on the wing and Bronco Brent Tate has beaten Dragon Matt Cooper to the punch for a spot in the centres.

The back row looks formidable, with wrecking balls Ben Kennedy and Luke O?Donnell combining with the consistency of Craig Fitzgibbon.

Craig Gower has made the bench, along with three forwards in Jason Ryles, Andrew Ryan and Trent Waterhouse.

Everything else is as expected with Lockyer to captain the team, partnering Johns in the halves. Incumbents Anthony Minichiello and Danny Buderus have retained their spots with centre favourite Mark Gasnier returning to the green and gold. Steve Price and Petero Civoniceva pack in at prop.

The team is:

Anthony Minichiello Matt King Brent Tate Mark Gasnier Timana Tahu Darren Lockyer (c) Andrew Johns Ben Kennedy Craig Fitzgibbon Luke O'Donnell Petero Civoniceva Danny Buderus Steve Price

Interchange: Jason Ryles, Craig Gower, Andrew Ryan, Trent Waterhouse.

Meanwhile the Kiwi?s have named their line-up with a few surprises.

Another Storm winger makes his debut in Jake Webster with Nigel Vagana moving into the pivot role. Ironically, another Cowboy makes his debut with David Faiumu coming off a strong bench containing forwards Roy Asotasi, Nathan Cayless and David Solomona.

Most of the rest of the team is as expected with Brent Webb at fullback and Paul Whatuira pairing Clinton Toopi in the centres. Powerful Warriors winger Manu Vatuvei gets his first jersey as well.

Halfback Stacey Jones returns to the fold with Louis Anderson, Frank Pritchard and David Kidwell making up and impressive back row.

Captain Ruben Wiki and Paul Rauhihi will pack in together up front with Lance Hohaia fitting in at rake.

The team is:

Brent Webb Jake Webster Paul Whatuira Clinton Toopi Manu Vatuvei Nigel Vagana Stacey Jones Louis Anderson Frank Pritchard David Kidwell Ruben Wiki (c) Lance Hohaia Paul Rauhihi

Interchange: David Faiumu, Roy Asotasi, Nathan Cayless, David Solomona.

More info: www.tri-nations.com.au Discussion: Tri-Nations Forum at http://forums.leagueunlimited.com/forumdisplay.php?f=130