Sam Thaiday admits the Australian team is struggling for size and has been caught short in the front-row in the Four Nations rugby league tournament.
The Kangaroos were out-muscled by New Zealand in their tournament-opening loss before being pushed by an England pack which out-weighed the Australians by 36kgs.
Thaiday and Corey Parker have both served time as makeshift frontrowers during the opening two Tests while 110kg Canberra wrecking ball Josh Papalii has been drafted into the starting side at prop to face Samoa in Wollongong on Sunday.
After playing the opening game with just one recognised prop – Aaron Woods – in his 17-man squad, coach Tim Sheens beefed his pack up a bit by handing Canterbury prop David Klemmer his Test debut against England.
“We are (a prop short) I reckon,” Thaiday told Sky Sports radio on Thursday.
“We are struggling a little bit there in the prop area.
“Josh Papalii is doing a great job and he’s been great off the bench for us.
” think he’s getting a starting spot this week, that’s really good for him and it shows he’s been doing a good job for us.”
Missing the likes of Matt Scott (shoulder), James Tamou (neck), Andrew Fifita (arm), Paul Gallen (drug suspension) and Nate Myles (bicep), Thaiday said Australia’s makeshift bookends were making the best of a tough situation.
“We are struggling for a front-rower,” Thaiday said.
“When you think we’ve got Matt Scott out and James Tamou out, you’ve got (Andrew) Fifita out, who played in the World Cup last year, Nate Myles as well, Paul Gallen.
“We are struggling a little bit in that front row, we’ve had to pull guys in to fill that position but myself, Josh Papalii, Corey Parker, even Greg Bird has pushed up there in the front row. And we’ve all done a job, we’re all up to the task.”