ManlyBacker
Winging it
The bolters were few and far between as Australian Rugby League selectors stuck with recognised talent in naming their Four-Nations train-on squad on Monday.
The squad, from NRL sides missing the finals, contains 18 players - 14 of whom played in this year's State of Origin series.
The other four - Wests Tigers duo Chris Lawrence and Keith Galloway, Cronulla's Luke Douglas and South Sydney pivot John Sutton - have all been part of train-on squads in previous seasons and have played for the Prime Minister's XIII.
The most notable non-selection was Test prop and Warriors skipper Steve Price, who failed to see out the regular season due to a raft of injuries including Achilles tendonitis and a throat problem.
Rabbitohs backrower Michael Crocker and North Queensland centre Willie Tonga were also not considered due to injury.
Price's unavailability has opened the door for the likes of Galloway, St George Illawarra pair Justin Poore and Michael Weyman and Brisbane powerhouse Dave Taylor for next month's trip to the northern hemisphere to take on England, France and World Cup holders New Zealand.
Selectors will continue to add players as sides bow out of the premiership race, with a Prime Minister's XIII to be named on Monday week for the annual clash with Papua New Guinea.
Australia Squad: Johnathan Thurston, Luke O'Donnell, Matthew Scott (all North Queensland), Nate Myles (Sydney Roosters), John Sutton (South Sydney), Paul Gallen, Luke Douglas (both Cronulla), Terry Campese, Joel Monaghan, David Shillington, Tom Learoyd-Lahrs (all Canberra), Michael Jennings, Trent Waterhouse, Luke Lewis, Petero Civoniceva (all Penrith), Robbie Farah, Chris Lawrence, Keith Galloway (all Wests Tigers).
The squad, from NRL sides missing the finals, contains 18 players - 14 of whom played in this year's State of Origin series.
The other four - Wests Tigers duo Chris Lawrence and Keith Galloway, Cronulla's Luke Douglas and South Sydney pivot John Sutton - have all been part of train-on squads in previous seasons and have played for the Prime Minister's XIII.
The most notable non-selection was Test prop and Warriors skipper Steve Price, who failed to see out the regular season due to a raft of injuries including Achilles tendonitis and a throat problem.
Rabbitohs backrower Michael Crocker and North Queensland centre Willie Tonga were also not considered due to injury.
Price's unavailability has opened the door for the likes of Galloway, St George Illawarra pair Justin Poore and Michael Weyman and Brisbane powerhouse Dave Taylor for next month's trip to the northern hemisphere to take on England, France and World Cup holders New Zealand.
Selectors will continue to add players as sides bow out of the premiership race, with a Prime Minister's XIII to be named on Monday week for the annual clash with Papua New Guinea.
Australia Squad: Johnathan Thurston, Luke O'Donnell, Matthew Scott (all North Queensland), Nate Myles (Sydney Roosters), John Sutton (South Sydney), Paul Gallen, Luke Douglas (both Cronulla), Terry Campese, Joel Monaghan, David Shillington, Tom Learoyd-Lahrs (all Canberra), Michael Jennings, Trent Waterhouse, Luke Lewis, Petero Civoniceva (all Penrith), Robbie Farah, Chris Lawrence, Keith Galloway (all Wests Tigers).
