League: Sheens selects 10 rookies

Newcomer to international league Sione Mata'utia could become Australia's youngest test player at the Four Nations. Photo / Getty Images

After seven club matches, 18-year-old Sione Mata’utia earns spot in Four Nations squad.

Teenage sensation Sione Mata'utia is in line to become the youngest test player in Australian league history after being named in Tim Sheens' exciting new-age Four Nations squad.

With just seven NRL games under his belt after debuting for Newcastle in July, Mata'utia is already the least experienced player in more than half a century to earn a Kangaroos call-up.

Among 10 rookies named in coach Sheens' 24-man squad yesterday, the gifted outside back clinched his selection with an eye-catching display in the Prime Minister's XIII's 34-16 victory over Papua New Guinea at Kokopo on Sunday.

While Sheens has already all but ruled out starting Mata'utia in Australia's opener against New Zealand in Brisbane on October 25, last year's Australian schoolboys' captain will break a century-old record if he earns his first cap at any stage of the month-long tournament.

Israel Folau holds the record as the Kangaroos' youngest debutant after starring at 18 years and 194 days old against the Kiwis in Wellington in 2007.

Mata'utia, though, was only 18 years and 110 days old at the time of his selection in the squad and is guaranteed the record should he crown his spectacular rookie season with a promotion to the test side.

"It's a big deal," said Australian Rugby League Commission chief John Grant after announcing the squad in Sydney.

Folau, now a dual international and the ARU's hottest property, was already the NRL's newcomer of the year and a grand final winner with the Melbourne Storm when he received his Kangaroos call-up.

Mata'utia, the subject of a tug-of-war for his services between Newcastle and Canterbury when his contract with the Knights ends in 2015, has no such credentials.

Only Jim Lisle back in 1962 has experienced a faster elevation to the test side after playing just five games for South Sydney before earning the call-up.

If and when Mata'utia secures his maiden cap during the Four Nations, he will join St George's rugby league Immortal Reg Gasnier in playing for Australia after only seven club games.

"He's a kid of the future, to be honest. Quite a few people agree with me," Sheens said after citing Mata'utia's versatility and "obvious talent" as the chief reasons for his selection.

With a raft of big-name players unavailable for selection, including Billy Slater, Johnathan Thurston and Paul Gallen, Sheens ushered in generation next yesterday.

South Sydney grand final heroes Alex Johnston and Dylan Walker were other rookies named.

The other debutants are Canterbury forwards David Klemmer and Josh Jackson, Penrith winger Josh Mansour, Sydney Roosters' State of Origin pair Daniel Tupou and Aiden Guerra, Brisbane halfback Ben Hunt and Wests Tigers prop Aaron Woods, who has also played Origin.

Australia squad

Greg Bird, Daly Cherry-Evans, Boyd Cordner, Cooper Cronk, Robbie Farah, Aidan Guerra, Jarryd Hayne, Ryan Hoffman, Ben Hunt, Greg Inglis, Josh Jackson, Michael Jennings, Alex Johnston, David Klemmer, Josh Mansour, Sione Mata'utia, Josh Papalii, Corey Parker, Beau Scott, Cameron Smith (captain), Sam Thaiday, Daniel Tupou, Dylan Walker, Aaron Woods.

Aussie's five youngest test players

• Israel Folau - 18 years and 194 days v New Zealand, 2007.
• Charles "Chook" Fraser - 18 years and 301 days v England, 1911.
• Kerry Boustead - 18 years and 316 days v New Zealand, 1978.
• Dugald McGregor - 19 years and 5 days v New Zealand, 1909.
• Keith Middleton - 19 years and 138 days v Great Britain, 1950.

- AAP