League: Lockyer fit for Tri-Nations

The composition of the Australian back row and bench loom as the only contentious selection decisions after test skipper Darren Lockyer today declared himself a certain starter in the Tri-Nations rugby league test between New Zealand and Australia on Saturday.

Lockyer trained without discomfort in Australia's first full strength training session today and appears certain to be named as five-eighth and skipper when the team to play the Kiwis is announced.

He was restricted to light duties last week due to an ongoing hamstring complaint, but said that was only done as a precaution.

"I'll be right. I did a bit of light training on it last week just to make sure it was right coming into camp this week," Lockyer said.

"It's the first time the whole side's come together so now, we're only six days out from the game, so it's time to get serious."

The full Australian squad trained together for the first time in Sydney today following the weekend arrivals of halfbacks Andrew Johns and Scott Prince to the camp.

While Lockyer's availability solves one selection headache, just who will join Kangaroos incumbents Ben Kennedy and Craig Fitzgibbon in the backrow isn't as clear cut, with North Queensland second rower Luke O'Donnell in line to make his test debut following a strong season with the Cowboys.

Positions in the back row were thrown wide open after the controversial omission of Parramatta second rower Nathan Hindmarsh, who was ruled out of the tour with a knee injury after initially being ruled fit to make the trip.

Along with O'Donnell, other candidates for the vacant second row position include St George Illawarra tyro Ben Creagh, Bulldogs duo Andrew Ryan and Willie Mason and Penrith lock Trent Waterhouse.

Another option available to Bennett would be to name Dragons five-eighth Trent Barrett at lock and shift Kennedy to the second row, which would give the Kangaroos a potent scrumbase combination of Lockyer, Barrett and Andrew Johns.

With Lockyer a major roadblock to the test No 6 jumper, Barrett admitted it would be a major accomplishment to squeeze into the 17-man squad, but was glad to be back in the international fold for the first time since 2002.

"I'm very proud of being able to come back and be in here again and I want to make the most of it," Barrett said.

"I know that I've got a pretty big job ahead of me if I'm to make the team and all I can do is just train well and see what happens."

Lockyer is set to be the only Queenslander named in the Australian backline, with Dragons pair Mark Gasnier and Matt Cooper set to hold off a challenge from Broncos three-quarter Brent Tate for the centre positions.

Cooper dismissed any doubts about his recovery from a hamstring injury by running strongly with the side today.

In the front row, Jason Ryles is expected to partner Brisbane veteran Petero Civoniceva up front, with Danny Buderus an automatic inclusion at hooker.

That could see Mark O'Meley and Steve Price selected on the bench to provide back-up for Ryles and Civoniceva, although Mason's inclusion in the 17 could see one of the front rowers omitted in favour of a back rower.

Meanwhile, Brit Steve Ganson was today named as referee for both Saturday's test match and the following test between the two sides in Auckland on October 21.

* Possible Kangaroos team:

Anthony Minichiello, Matt King, Mark Gasnier, Matt Cooper, Timana Tahu, Darren Lockyer (captain), Andrew Johns, Ben Kennedy, Luke O'Donnell, Craig Fitzgibbon, Jason Ryles, Danny Buderus, Petero Civoniceva.

Interchange: Craig Gower, Willie Mason, Mark O'Meley, Steve Price.

- AAP