League: Fingers crossed for injured Smith

Kiwis' 2008 player of the year Jeremy Smith is in doubt for Friday's test. Photo / Getty Images

Kiwis hardman Jeremy Smith is hopeful of defying a sprained ankle in Friday's rugby league test, saying he is confident they can make it back-to-back wins against the Kangaroos in Brisbane.

Smith and fellow-forward Frank Pritchard gave coach Stephen Kearney two injury scares amid a largely predictable 18 named last night for the World Cup final rematch.

The biggest surprise was the choice of playmaker Benji Marshall - who missed his Wests Tigers' NRL match today due to the flu - as captain ahead of Smith and Roy Asotasi.

Smith limped off WIN Stadium with a high ankle sprain, after he twisted it in a tackle from test teammate Nathan Fien, as his Dragons beat the Warriors 12-11.

"I'm not too sure but it's not too good at the moment. Fingers crossed I can get out there on Friday," a deflated Smith said.

Smith, named the Kiwis' player of the year in 2008, said he would give himself every chance to be fit but would leave the final call up to Kearney.

"I'll do what's best for myself. I don't want to be going out there and putting the team in jeopardy by having a crook ankle.

"I'll wait and see what happens and see how I pull up during the week, and see what Steve wants to do.

"We've got such a good team and I'm pretty confident we can get out there and do the same as what we did to them last year."

Dragons coach Wayne Bennett said medical opinion put Smith in "a fair bit of doubt".

"He's a rough chance but it's an ankle injury, and we're optimistic it's not too serious, but it's going to be line ball for Friday."

Kearney and his fellow-selectors were scheduled to meet again last night to discuss Smith and Pritchard's injuries suffered at the weekend.

Marshall was named to succeed retired skipper Nathan Cayless, having led the Kiwis for the first time against England in their World Cup pool game last year.

"It was a huge honour for Benji to lead his country against England and it was job he really took to," Kearney said.

"This is another step. Benji enjoys the extra responsibility and he'll have plenty of leadership support around him from the likes of Roy, Jeremy and others."

Injuries had restricted Marshall to only three tests - all one-off Anzac tests - before the World Cup but he appeared in six straight internationals in as many weeks in October-November last year.

Of the 17 who played in the 34-20 World Cup final win, only three missed selection: Cayless, Warriors prop Sam Rapira (sternum) and Wigan utility Thomas Leuluai, with the selectors opting against selecting he and fellow British-based player Brent Webb.

Asotasi, Pritchard and Iosia Soliola all returned after missing the World Cup through injury, while 2007 Kiwis prop Jeff Lima was recalled.

Kearney's side assembled in Brisbane last night and will have their first training session today before the starting team is named later in the week.

TEAMS

KANGAROOS: Darren Lockyer (c), Billy Slater, Israel Folau, Greg Inglis, Justin Hodges, Darius Boyd, Johnathan Thurston, Petero Civoniceva, Cameron Smith, Steve Price, Anthony Laffranchi, Paul Gallen, Glenn Stewart. Interchange: Kurt Gidley, Brent Kite, Luke Bailey, Anthony Watmough.

KIWIS: Benji Marshall (c), Lance Hohaia, Sam Perrett, Jason Nightingale, Manu Vatuvei, Jerome Ropati, Iosia Soliola, Nathan Fien, Jeremy Smith, Bronson Harrison, Greg Eastwood, David Fa'alogo, Simon Mannering, Frank Pritchard, Roy Asotasi, Adam Blair, Jeff Lima, Issac Luke.

- NZPA