MAL Meninga has put his stamp on his first Kangaroos squad, naming four debutants to face New Zealand in the much anticipated first Test of a new era next Friday.

The coach of Queensland’s champion side of the past decade has stuck firm with many of his old favourites but sprinkled a mix of new blood, with Semi Radradra, Blake Ferguson, Josh McGuire and Michael Morgan winning their first Test caps.

Radradra had his Test eligibility transferred to Australia just weeks ago and despite Meninga’s initial reservations about the switch because it weakens international rugby league, the coach said once the winger had made his decision, selection was the easy part.

“He is the best winger in the competition, that is why he is there,” Meninga said at the announcement.

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“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.”

Along with the debutants named, Meninga’s side also boasts 272 Australian Test caps, a mixture the new mentor is confident will be able to snap a three-game losing streak against the No.1 ranked New Zealand outfit in Newcastle.

“This is a well-balanced squad and I’m extremely happy with it,” Meninga said.

“We have some experience as well as a handful of younger players who I am looking forward to seeing in this arena.

“It is the fourth most experienced line-up in Australia’s Test history but there will also be four players making their debuts.

“This is an incredibly important game for this group. I want to ensure the players have pride in the national jumper and my goal is to establish the Kangaroos back at the top of the international rankings.”

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Despite a torrid debut Test this time last year, Josh Dugan has held his place in the side, winning the battle for the right centre position.

Dugan will play inside his old mate Ferguson, giving the right edge a sense of rep redemption after the pair found trouble on a night out together in Cronulla that ultimately led to Ferguson’s sacking from the Raiders, when they were last both picked for a rep team.

Meanwhile, Greg Inglis has paid for his inconsistent form to start the season, with Meninga preferring Darius Boyd at fullback and Inglis to start at left centre, inside Radradra.

The forward pack has a very Queensland feel to it, with an all Maroons back-row of Josh Papalii, Matt Gillett and Corey Parker and skipper Cameron Smith joined up front by Matt Scott and the sole New South Welshman in the starting pack, Paul Gallen.

Gallen’s selection ended speculation that Meninga was set to end the veteran’s Test career and the new Kangaroos coach said the form of the Sharks skipper had forced his hand.

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“He deserves it,” Meninga said.

“We need a hard edge that has been missing the last few games. That leadership and that hard edge that he brings to the team are important.”

McGuire and Morgan are joined on the bench by James Tamou and Sam Thaiday, with Meninga naming Aidan Guerra and Michael Jennings as the 18th and 19th men.

Australian Test side: Darius Boyd, Semi Radradra, Greg Inglis, Josh Dugan, Blake Ferguson, Johnathan Thurston, Cooper Cronk, Matt Scott, Cameron Smith (c), Paul Gallen, Josh Papalii, Matt Gillett, Corey Parker. Interchange: Josh McGuire, Michael Morgan, James Tamou, Sam Thaiday. 18th man: Aidan Guerra, 19th man: Michael Jennings

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