Australia to start with four debutants in their Four Nations opener against New Zealand

Australia coach Tim Sheens has named four debutants in his starting line-up for Saturday’s Four Nations clash against New Zealand in Brisbane.

Shorn of several of the team that won the World Cup last year, Kangaroos boss Sheens has selected a new-look back line that includes uncapped pair Josh Mansour and Daniel Tupou on the wings.

Centre Dylan Walker – an NRL champion with South Sydney Rabbitohs - will also win his first cap while club colleague Greg Inglis takes over from the absent Billy Slater at full-back.

Jarryd Hayne was also a candidate for the No 1 jersey, but the man who shared this year’s Dally M Player of the Year Award with Johnathan Thurston shocked the rugby league world recently when he announced he was quitting rugby league to pursue a career in the NFL.

Thurston, meanwhile, is ruled out of the tournament due to a shoulder injury, so Daly Cherry-Evans is in the halves alongside Cooper Cronk.

In the pack, new boy Aaron Woods from Wests Tigers starts in the front row alongside the experienced duo of hooker Cameron Smith, who continues as captain, and Brisbane Broncos’ Sam Thaiday.

Sheens has gone with the all-New South Wales back row of Beau Scott, Ryan Hoffman and Greg Bird, with Aidan Guerra – who played for Italy in the last World Cup - set to make his first appearance for Australia off the bench.

An extended list of replacements also includes David Klemmer and Sione Mata'utia for the match against the Kiwis at Suncorp Stadium, with the game following on from England’s clash with Samoa.

Australia: Greg Inglis, Josh Mansour, Dylan Walker, Michael Jennings, Daniel Tupou, Daly Cherry-Evans, Cooper Cronk, Aaron Woods, Cameron Smith, Sam Thaiday, Beau Scott, Ryan Hoffman, Greg Bird.

Replacements: Robbie Farah, Aidan Guerra, Josh Papalii, Corey Parker.