Siblings to revel in team line- up

NORTH Queensland Cowboys prop Jordan McLean has capped off his return to the international fold by being named to start for the Kangaroos in Saturday’s Auckland Test against New Zealand.

Mal Meninga unveiled his 17 yesterday, which will see Tom Trbojevic finally playing alongside his brother Jake in the green and gold.

Tom Trbojevic was named at left centre in a new- look backline while his older brother will start on the bench.

Tom Trbojevic said it was “touch and go” whether he would be fit for Kangaroos duty after suffering a serious facial injury in the NRL’s final round.

The Sea Eagles speedster was ruled out for six weeks by Manly after undergoing surgery. But barely five weeks after going under the knife, Trbojevic is set to play against the Kiwis alongside his big brother.

“It ( the fracture) was a bit touch and go but I’ve been seeing the surgeon regularly and he gave me the all clear,” Trbojevic said before the Kangaroos flew out of Brisbane for Auckland yesterday.

“Initially he thought it wouldn’t have been good but he kept looking at it and said I’d be right to go.

“To get picked in the side made it all better.”

Trbojevic now gets the chance to fulfil a childhood dream, finally. The brothers were denied a chance to play together for Australia at the 2017 Rugby League World Cup when backrower Jake Trbojevic broke down with a tournament- ending pectoral injury.

“It would be everything. We grew up together playing backyard footy together and doing everything together,” Tom Trbojevic said of playing alongside his sibling. “Ten years ago you wouldn’t have dreamed to be doing what we are now.

“It would be a surreal experience if we do get to do it.”

Tom Trbojevic has been named in the centres with Sydney Roosters star Latrell Mitchell, who will make his Test debut.

James Tedesco will also wear green and gold for the first time when he steps up for retired great Billy Slater at fullback, with No. 1 rival Valentine Holmes on the wing with Dane Gagai.

Despite a foot injury limiting him to just 10 NRL games this year, North Queensland prop Jordan McLean is in the starting front row with David Klemmer and rookie Test rake Damien Cook.

New Kangaroos skipper Boyd Cordner and Melbourne’s Felise Kaufusi are in the backrow with Brisbane lock Josh McGuire.