Tim Sheens has told his host of Kangaroos rookies its up to them whether they retain their Test spots next year.
Missing experience hurt Australia as New Zealand again laid a brutal forward platform for their brilliant halfback Shaun Johnson, out-playing coach Sheen’s young team to claim the Four Nations title with a 22-18 win at Wellington’s Westpac Stadium.
But Sheens believes the large number of rookies he was forced to blood during the four-week tournament can serve Australia well for years to come.
Johnathan Thurston, Matt Scott, Paul Gallen, Billy Slater and Darius Boyd were among 12 players missing from last year’s victorious World Cup squad who will come into contention for the Kangaroos next international fixture, the Anzac Test against the Kiwis next year
Nine players made their Test debuts in the series including Josh Mansour, Sione Mata’utia, Dylan Walker, Aaron Woods, Josh Jackson, Ben Hunt and David Klemmer who played in Saturday’s final.
“It certainly broadens our base, there is no doubt,” Sheen said.
“Obviously for the Anzac Test next year there will be lot more players available and usually there are.
“But these kids now, with a good start to next season, they will have aims to make that side, and if not that side, the State of Origin sides.
“So the challenge for now is to start the new season well and keep going, and push for State of Origin, which is technically two Australia sides playing one another.
“Hopefully all of them will be back (for Australia). It is up to them really.”
The Anzac Test is the Kangaroos only game next year, with New Zealand heading to England to play three Tests.
The 2016 Four Nations will be held in England and Scotland as Australia attempt to wrest their crown back from the Kiwis.
The Kangaroos will get the chance to defend their world title when the World Cup is held in Australia and New Zealand in 2017.
Canterbury forward Klemmer was one young Kangaroo who showed he has a promising representative future ahead of him.
“It has been a big learning curve for me and I will take a lot of confidence out of this series,” he said.
“I know I can perform at this level, and when I get back to club footy I will keep learning and I will keep building.
“I will keep doing my own little thing over Christmas, keep training and then get back into it with the Dogs next year.
“I want to come back nice and fit, have a rest from footy and come back firing next year.”