May 4th, 2017

The Australian Kangaroos will need to overcome the loss of prop Matt Scott against New Zealand in the Anzac Test. (Getty)

May 4th, 2017

Forget whether Johnathan Thurston's injured calf holds up in the Anzac Test against New Zealand at Canberra's GIO Stadium on Friday night.

Darren Lockyer believes the real challenge for Australian coach Mal Meninga and his Kangaroos will be how they overcome the loss of some significant grunt up front.

Prop Matt Scott heads the list of big men unavailable for selection through injury, and has been joined in the casualty ward by Aaron Woods and Shannon Boyd, who were all involved in the 34-8 rout of the Kiwis in the Four Nations final last year.

Australia is still favoured to win the match at $1.41 compared to $3 for the Kiwis.

"I think the forwards will be the big battle," Lockyer told Wide World of Sports.

"We're losing some big men that can play long minutes, and they've probably got their best side in a couple of years.

"Losing Matt with his metres, and his size and experience, is a big loss and Woodsy hasn't been there that long but he's another big body who can play long minutes.

"We've probably lost a few forwards and they've gained a few."

Australia is missing a number of forwards who played in the 34-8 Four Nations final win over New Zealand including Aaron Woods. (AAP)



With Scott and co unavailable, Meninga recalled Andrew Fifita from the representative wilderness who will start alongside David Klemmer in the front row.

The starting back-row includes Boyd Cordner and Matt Gillett with Trent Merrin at lock, while Tyson Frizell and Sam Thaiday remain options on the bench.

Jake Trbojevic has been named on the bench while Jordan McLean has been added into the squad as an emergency player.

The Kiwis by comparison have named an imposing forward pack that includes Jesse Bromwich and Russell Packer in the front row.

Kevin Proctor and Simon Mannering are in the back-row, Jason Taumalolo at lock, while Adam Blair and Martin Taupau will continue the onslaught from the bench.

"You've got (Jason) Taumalolo in there, (Adam) Blair, (Martin) Taupau, Russell Packer's back in there," Lockyer said. "They're starting to look pretty strong up front.

"I think that will be the key to the game. If the Australian forwards can do their job against the Kiwis' big men, well the smarts are around those guys in the Australian team to bring it home."

Lockyer said captain Cameron Smith, who will play his 50th Test on Friday night and is zeroing in on Lockyer's milestone of 59 Tests, would play a key role in determining the result.

"If you didn’t have Cameron Smith there directing your forwards around it would be a really big impact," Lockyer said.

"But Cameron has always been good at being able to work the forwards he's got."

Australian coach Mal Meninga has yet to taste defeat since taking over the role in 2016. (AAP)



Meninga has yet to taste defeat since taking over the reins as Kangaroos coach with his greatest victory coming in the dominant win over the Kiwis in the Four Nations final.

"It's just putting some structure around the culture of what he's trying to create," Lockyer said.

"He did that with the Queensland team, it was important to recognise milestones, he's doing thast with the Australian team.

"I think it becomes a lot more tangible and guys understand what the Australian culture looks like and what the jersey is about.

"Instead of just words, it's actually putting something together that everyone can articulate."