rugby league test

Mate Ma'a Tonga will take on the Kangaroos at Auckland's Mount Smart Stadium on October 20th, almost 11 months after a sold out crowd watched the Kingdom pipped by England at the same venue in the World Cup semifinals.

Tonga coach Kristian Woolf and Australia's Mal Meninga have both been supportive of the fixture but confirmation was delayed after New Zealand Rugby League officials expressed concerns the test could overshadow or affect ticket sales for the Kiwis vs Kangaroos clash at the same venue a week earlier.

Holmes, Boyd and Frizell on Friday were named to make their Australian debuts in Saturday's international against New Zealand at Perth's nib Stadium.

The selections continue a transformation of the Australian team under Meninga after his choice of four debutants in May for his first Test in charge of the Kangaroos.

"Shannon, Tyson and Valentine have all added a new dimension to our team with their enthusiasm and excitement," Meninga said on Friday.

"We have a big Kiwis pack, we will be out to match that and big Boydy is a big part of that.