The Anzac Test is only a few weeks away with Australia set to clash with old foes New Zealand at Canberra’s GIO Stadium.
We asked some of The81stMinute’s own who they are selecting to wear the green and gold of the Kangaroos on the 5th of May.
Curtis Woodward
1 Darius Boyd
2 Valentine Holmes
3 Josh Dugan
4 Will Chambers
5 James Tedesco
6 James Maloney
7 Cooper Cronk
8 Sam Thaiday
9 Cameron Smith
10 Andrew Fifita
11 Matt Gillett
12 Boyd Cordner
13 Josh McGuire
14 Paul Vaughan
15 David Klemmer
16 Josh Jackson
17 Jack Bird
Shock Pick: Jack Bird over Michael Morgan for the utility bench spot. Curtis has also left Aaron Woods out of the team.
Bolter: Curtis has picked Paul Vaughan on the bench to make his debut for Australia which would mean he’s the latest star to play for his country before his state.
Backline Shuffle: Curtis has selected James Tedesco on the wing ahead of incumbent Blake Ferguson.
Paul Vaughan powered through a new career high for runs and metres on the weekend 💪 #redv pic.twitter.com/soZM1pUzem
— St George Illawarra Dragons (@NRL_Dragons) April 10, 2017
Luke Potter
1 Darius Boyd
2 Valentine Holmes
3 Jack Bird
4 Josh Dugan
5 Tom Trbojevic
6 James Maloney
7 Cooper Cronk
8 David Klemmer
9 Cameron Smith
10 Aaron Woods
11 Boyd Cordner
12 Tyson Frizell
13 Trent Merrin
14 Shannon Boyd
15 Michael Morgan
16 Jake Trbojevic
17 Paul Vaughan
Shock Pick: Jake Trbojevic toured with Australia last year so the only real shock pick in this 17 is his brother Tom on the wing ahead of Blake Ferguson.
Bolter: Just like Curtis, Luke has given Paul Vaughan the nod to make his Australian debut.
Backline Shuffle: James Maloney starts in the halves alongside Cooper Cronk while Jack Bird and Josh Dugan are Luke’s centres.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W5nbQzTifuA
Matt French
1 Billy Slater
2 Valentine Holmes
3 Jack Bird
4 Josh Dugan
5 Blake Ferguson
6 Darius Boyd
7 Cooper Cronk
8 Aaron Woods
9 Cameron Smith
10 Sam Thaiday
11 Boyd Cordner
12 Matt Gillett
13 Trent Merrin
14 Michael Morgan
15 Josh Papalii
16 David Klemmer
17 Paul Vaughan
Shock Pick: Frenchy has named Darius Boyd at five-eigth to accommodate the legendary Billy Slater at fullback.
Bolter: It’s that man again! Paul Vaughan is also in Matt’s Australian side.
Backline Shuffle: Very interesting selections from Frenchy. He’s keeping incumbents Holmes and Ferguson on the wings and bringing Slater in.
HUNTING FOR A REPLACEMENT: Broncos Captain Darius Boyd admits he’d be a reluctant five-eighth, as Brisbane considering shifting him #TenNews pic.twitter.com/uElVQrcCGP
— 10 News First Queensland (@10NewsFirstQLD) April 11, 2017
Kane Austin
1 Darius Boyd
2 Valentine Holmes
3 Josh Dugan
4 Dane Gagai
5 Blake Ferguson
6 Michael Morgan
7 Cooper Cronk
8 Sam Thaiday
9 Cameron Smith
10 Aaron Woods
11 Matt Gillett
12 Boyd Cordner
13 Trent Merrin
14 Andrew Fifita
15 David Klemmer
16 Josh McGuire
17 Jack Bird
Shock Pick: Dane Gagai has been in outstanding form for Newcastle and Kane has picked him ahead of a number of stars.
Bolter: No bolters in Kane’s side.
Backline Shuffle: Little surprise in Kane’s backline with Michael Morgan to play ahead of James Maloney.
Hey Mal, give Dane Gagai a @Kangaroos Jersey for the May Test Match. More than deserving of pulling on the Green & Gold #NRLKnightsRoosters
— Daniel Watson Hayes™ (@dwatsonhayes) April 14, 2017
Richard Hogan
1 Darius Boyd
2 Valentine Holmes
3 Will Chambers
4 Dane Gagai
5 Blake Ferguson
6 Michael Morgan
7 Cooper Cronk
8 David Klemmer
9 Cameron Smith
10 Aaron Woods
11 Matt Gillett
12 Boyd Cordner
13 Trent Merrin
14 Andrew Fifita
15 Sam Thaiday
16 Josh McGuire
17 Anthony Milford
Shock Pick: No Josh Dugan in Richard’s side. He’s picked Queensland centres Will Chambers and Dane Gagai.
Bolter: Richard has gone with another Queenslander on the bench in Brisbane wiz Anthony Milford.
Backline Shuffle: A strong Queensland connection with only Blake Ferguson representing the Blues.