Meninga includes 4 uncapped players in Kangaroos squad

27 April 2016, 12:00AM

Mal Meninga has included wingers Semi Radradra and Blake Ferguson among four uncapped players for his first test match as Australian rugby league coach.

Meninga announced a 19-man squad on Tuesday, selecting North Queensland Cowboys five-eighth Michael Morgan and Broncos prop Josh McGuire on an extended interchange bench which will be cut by two players ahead of the May 6 test against New Zealand in Newcastle.

Darius Boyd was selected at fullback, with Greg Inglis moving to center, and Paul Gallen was recalled in the front row.

Meninga took on the Kangaroos job this year after a successful stint with Queensland, which has won nine of the last 10 State of Origin series against New South Wales.

Radradra, the powerful Parramatta winger, was born in Fiji and has played international rugby league for that country but qualified for Australian selection on residency rules.

"He is the best winger in the competition, that is why he is there," Meninga said. "It is my job to coach the Australian side and pick the best players available. He wants to play for Australia ... I didn't coerce him to play for Australia."

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Squad: Darius Boyd, Semi Radradra, Greg Inglis, Josh Dugan, Blake Ferguson, Johnathan Thurston, Cooper Cronk; Matt Scott, Cameron Smith, Paul Gallen, Josh Papalii, Matt Gillett, Corey Parker. Interchange (from): Josh McGuire, Michael Morgan, James Tamou, Sam Thaiday, Aidan Guerra, Michael Jennings.

27 April 2016, 12:00AM
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