Mateo named in Australian train-on squad

Vodafone Warriors back rower Feleti Mateo is among 20 players from non-finals NRL teams named today in the Kangaroos’ train-on squad for the end of season one-off Test against the Kiwis and the Prime Minister’s XIII’s annual clash against Port Morseby.

Mateo, Tonga’s captain, played for City Origin this year and was the Vodafone Warriors’ representative in the NRL All Stars side in 2011.

Lining up against Canberra yesterday, he finished his second NRL season with the Vodafone Warriors making his 52nd consecutive appearance since arriving at the club.

The last Vodafone Warriors players selected for the Prime Minister’s XIII were Micheal Luck and James Maloney in 2010. Jacob Lillyman was recalled to the Queensland State of Origin side last year.

Seven of the eight clubs out of contention for the 2012 NRL play-offs are represented in the initial group of players included in the train-on squad. More players will be added each week as teams are eliminated from the finals.

Players named: Greg Bird (Gold Coast), Jamal Idris (Gold Coast), Nate Myles (Gold Coast), William Zillman (Gold Coast), Darius Boyd (Newcastle), Akuila Uate (Newcastle), Lachlan Coote (Penrith), Tim Grant (Penrith), Michael Jennings (Penrith), Luke Lewis (Penrith), Ben Creagh (St George Illawarra), Brett Morris (St George Illawarra), Trent Merrin (St George Illawarra), Beau Scott (St George Illawarra), Jake Friend (Sydney Roosters), Mitchell Pearce (Sydney Roosters), Feleti Mateo (Vodafone Warriors), Robbie Farah (Wests Tigers), Chris Lawrence (Wests Tigers), Aaron Woods (Wests Tigers).