Australian rugby league coach Tim Sheens has made five changes to the side that beat New Zealand in October last year for the Kangaroos’ rugby league side to take on the Kiwis at Canberra Stadium on Friday night.

Australian regulars Justin Hodges, Luke Lewis, Anthony Watmough and Sam Thaiday return to the side after missing last year’s match through injury.

And Kurt Gidley is set to play his first game for the national team since 2010 after being named on the bench.

Canterbury’s Tony Williams, who has been in poor form for the Bulldogs this season, missed out on selection while Melbourne’s Ryan Hoffman was squeezed out of the team.

The Australian team will enter camp on Sunday night and will have a light training run on Monday morning before travelling to Canberra to begin preparations for the clash.

Australia: Billy Slater, Darius Boyd, Greg Inglis, Justin Hodges, Brett Morris, Johnathan Thurston, Cooper Cronk, Matt Scott, Cameron Smith (capt), James Tamou, Greg Bird, Sam Thaiday, Paul Gallen. Reserves: Kurt Gidley, Nate Myles, Luke Lewis, Anthony Watmough, Josh Morris (one to be omitted).