Kokopo in Papua New Guinea will provide the unlikely launch pad for Australia’s next wave of rugby league Test footballers.

An expanding injury list leaves Kangaroos coach Tim Sheens with little choice but to name an inexperienced squad for the Four Nations tournament on Monday.

That announcement will come a day after the Kokopo clash, where the PNG’s Kumuls host an Australian Prime Minister’s XIII featuring several players Sheens wants to assess for their readiness to face New Zealand in the Four Nations opener two weeks later.

“There’s a still a number of places up for grabs, based on this game,” said Sheens in Wellington on Tuesday.

“Those who have dropped out may struggle to make the side again. That’s the way it happens.”

Sheens will travel to PNG to gain greater insight into some players and watch coach Laurie Daley’s PM’s XIII in action.

“I want to get know a lot of these guys off the field so this whole week is part of a building process,” said Sheens.

The latest Kangaroos casualty is Cowboys prop Matt Scott who, Sheens says, was upset to confirm over the phone on Monday that he needs shoulder surgery.

It means Sheens’ five leading props – Scott, James Tamou, Andrew Fifita, Nate Myles and Paul Gallen – will all miss the tournament.

Versatile Josh Papalii has been handed a starting prop berth on Sunday alongside the established Aaron Woods while interchange props Brenton Lawrence and Josh McGuire have plenty to play for.

Sheens is also considering the front row merits of Dylan Napa, Jacob Lillyman and Bulldogs pair Aiden Tolman and Dave Klemmer, while Sam Thaiday could yet shift from the second row.

Sheens is wary of the challenge his pack faces in the Four Nations.

The Kiwis squad named on Tuesday is typically rugged, he says, while England boast arguably the toughest pack in the world, even without rugby union-bound Sam Burgess.

“We’re vulnerable in a couple of spots and we’re going to have to get it together very quick because we don’t have a lot of time,” Sheens said.

“It’s a long way between now and a final given some of the issues we’ve got.”

Seven of last year’s starting 13 from the World Cup final aren’t available, while Sheens can’t pick nine of the 17 players involved in the 30-18 defeat of New Zealand in Sydney in May.

Sheens says one silver lining is that a tournament is the ideal time to introduce new faces.

“But I think we are throwing in a few more young fellas than we anticipated and the senior players, in particular, will have to stand up big time.”