By resting halfback Cooper Cronk, Australia coach Mal Meninga has opened the door for Matt Moylan to be handed the bench utility role in this Saturday's Four Nations clash with New Zealand.

The World Cup holders on Thursday named only an 19-man squad for the Ricoh Arena, Coventry, clash with the five players not required also including winger Josh Mansour who has suffered a nine-month knee injury. The side was listed in alphabetical order with positions not specified.

Sidelined: Cooper. Credit:Mark Kolbe

But the absence of Cronk, who scored two tries against Scotland last week, would allow Michael Morgan to start alongside his North Queensland club-mate, Johnathan Thurston in the halves.

That, in turn, could leave last week's man of the match – Moylan – on the bench where he would effectively trial for Morgan's regular spot ahead of the clash with England on Sunday week.