AUSTRALIA coach Mal Meninga has settled on Sam Thaiday’s replacement for the Four Nations final, with Canberra monster Shannon Boyd getting the nod.

Thaiday has been ruled out of the clash due to a fractured cheekbone after colliding heads with England prop James Graham last weekend.

Reports out of the UK say Boyd will take his place on the bench for the tournament decider against New Zealand.

Kangaroos fullback Darius Boyd gave as much away in a recent media opportunity.

Shannon Boyd in action for Australia. Source: AAP

“Sam has played a lot of Tests for our country and to be missing for the final is, I suppose, disappointing,” Boyd told reporters.

“In saying that, I think Shannon Boyd has had a great Test debut and first few games this year and while it’s unlucky for Sammy it’s really good for him to get his chance now.”

The rest of the side will be unchanged.

Read on below for our full Four Nations final preview!

Meanwhile, Kiwis coach David Kidwell is expected to name a surprise halves combination for the clash, following the sidelining of Thomas Leuluai due to a broken jaw..

Despite having rookie five-eighth Te Maire Martin at his disposal, Kidwell will likely opt for Melbourne backrower Tohu Harris to partner Shaun Johnson.

Harris was spotted training in the halves in the lead-up to the game and he’s not unfamiliar to the position having played there in the 2014 Anzac Tests, as well as a number of Storm games.

It remains to be seen if Kidwell will carry Martin on the bench or pick four forwards.

The pressure will certainly be on Johnson to carry the side in the playmaking department.

Australia v New Zealand, Monday (1.30am AEDT) Anfield, Liverpool.

Australia (likely line-up): Darius Boyd, Valentine Holmes, Josh Dugan, Greg Inglis, Blake Ferguson, Johnathan Thurston, Cooper Cronk, Matt Scott, Cameron Smith, Aaron Woods, Boyd Cordner, Matt Gillett, Trent Merrin. Interchange: David Klemmer, Michael Morgan, Tyson Frizell, Shannon Boyd/Jake Trbojevic

New Zealand (possible line-up): Jordan Kahu, Jason Nightingale, Shaun Kenny-Dowall, Solomone Kata, Jordan Rapana, Tohu Harris, Shaun Johnson, Jesse Bromwich, Issac Luke, Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, Kevin Proctor, Greg Eastwood, Jason Taumalolo. Interchange: Adam Blair, Marty Taupau, Lewis Brown, Manu Ma’u.

The talking point: The Roos’ not-so secret weapon, and how the Kiwis combat it.

Blake Ferguson has been in scary form this Four Nations. Source: AP

Since Mal Meninga took charge of the Australian side his flankmen have been leaving opposition wingers for dead all year.

Not least their Kiwi opponents, with the past two trans-Tasman clashes seeing straight sets wins to the Aussie flyers.

Val Holmes played the house down on debut against New Zealand in Perth, while Blake Ferguson racked up a man-of-the-match 211 running metres, 12 tackle busts, a try and an assist two weeks ago.

All tournament the Kangaroos’ back three have finished superbly and their work coming out of their own end has been tireless.

With a shortened field and the Kiwis down a kicking playmaker, the pressure rises a few degrees more on Shaun Johnson and his sometimes erratic short kicking game.

To that end coach David Kidwell is even thought to be contemplating big Warriors winger David Fusitu’a over veteran Jason Nightingale in a bid to combat the size and speed the Roos are packing out wide.

The odds (courtesy of TAB): Australia $1.22, New Zealand $4.25

Our Prediction: The form lines have done Australia over in the past, but they won’t be caught off guard by the Kiwis this time. The Kangaroos by 1-12.

Tohu Harris is tipped to move into the halves for New Zealand. Source: News Corp Australia

Late Mail:Mal Meninga is likely to select Shannon Boyd for a final bench spot replacing Sam Thaiday (fractured cheekbone).

For the Kiwis there are more questions, though Tohu Harris is expected to assume the No.6 jumper over rookie Te Maire Martin following Thomas Leuluai’s broken jaw.

His absence in the back-row can be filled by any number of New Zealand’s bench forwards, but Greg Eastwood’s assured display against the Scots when the side was floundering is tipped to win him a starting spot.

Both Jared Waerea-Hargreaves (knee) and Jason Nightingale (ankle) have lingering injury and form concerns that could see them miss out, with David Fusitu’a and Joseph Tapine the most likely replacements.

Skipper Jesse Bromwich sat out Thursday’s training session but is still very much expected to lead the side on Monday.

This writers are on Twitter: @glover_benny & @dan_walsh64

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