League: Wesser fails to make Aussie squad for Anzac test

SYDNEY - Penrith fullback Rhys Wesser was a controversial omission from Australia's 23-man preliminary squad named yesterday for the Anzac test against New Zealand in Brisbane on Friday week.

Wesser leads the NRL in metres gained (951m) and has scored six tries from five matches this year to sit behind only Melbourne fullback Billy Slater, who has bagged seven tries.

Slater was named in the squad, but his Storm team-mates, Maroons hooker Cameron Smith and City Origin halfback Matt Orford, can consider themselves unlucky.

Melbourne centres Matt King and Steve Bell were also bolters to make the initial 22-man squad, which was expanded to 23 to cover for players coming back from injury, such as Bulldogs pair Willie Tonga (mumps) and Mark O'Meley (calf).

A 17-man squad will be announced on Sunday following St George Illawarra's clash with Brisbane at WIN Stadium.

Warriors captain Steve Price is also part of the squad.

The players missing from the Australian squad who won the Tri-Nations final against Great Britain in November are Shane Webcke (retired), Danny Buderus (shoulder) and Willie Mason (foot).

As expected, former test and NSW captain Andrew Johns, who is still finding his feet in his comeback from a knee reconstruction, was not named.

Despite winning just two matches this season, the Panthers have the best representation of any NRL club, with five players in the squad.

There are five Broncos who will get the chance to play against the injury-depleted Kiwis under their club coach Wayne Bennett.

Australia squad

Luke Bailey (St George Illawarra), Shaun Berrigan (Brisbane), Tonie Carroll (Brisbane), Petero Civoniceva (Brisbane), Craig Fitzgibbon (Sydney Roosters), Craig Gower (Penrith), Nathan Hindmarsh (Parramatta), Ben Kennedy (Manly), Brett Kimmorley (Cronulla), Luke Lewis (Penrith), Darren Lockyer (Brisbane), Anthony Minichiello (Sydney Roosters), Mark O'Meley (Bulldogs), Steve Price (NZ Warriors), Luke Priddis (Penrith), Luke Rooney (Penrith), Andrew Ryan (Bulldogs), Jason Ryles (St George Illawarra), Matt Sing (North Queensland), Billy Slater (Melbourne), Willie Tonga (Bulldogs), Trent Waterhouse (Penrith), Craig Wing (Sydney Roosters).

- AAP