Mata’utia youngest Aussie league player

Teenager Sione Mata’utia will become the youngest person to play a rugby league Test for Australia after being selected for the must-win Four Nations clash with England on Sunday.

The Newcastle winger replaces Daniel Tupou who has been dumped from the extended 20-man squad named for the match at AAMI Park in Melbourne after struggling in the Kangaroos’ upset loss to New Zealand in their tournament opener on Saturday.

Mata’utia will be only 18 years and 129 days old when he makes his Test debut on Sunday, 65 days younger than Israel Folau was when he starred against New Zealand in 2007.

Daly Cherry-Evans has again been named at five eighth as he battles to overcome the injury that forced him out early in the clash with the Kiwis.

Coach Tim Sheens has reshuffled his out-gunned forward pack with Corey Parker promoted to start at lock with Josh Hoffman dropped to the bench and Greg Bird moving from lock to the second row.

Australia: Greg Inglis, Josh Mansour, Michael Jennings, Dylan Walker, Sione Mata’utia, Daly Cherry-Evans, Cooper Cronk, Aaron Woods, Cameron Smith (capt), Sam Thaiday, Beau Scott, Greg Bird, Corey Parker. Interchange: Boyd Cordner, Robbie Farah, Aidan Guerra, Ryan Hoffman, Ben Hunt, David Klemmer, Josh Papalii (three to be omitted).

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