Preparing for tonight's showdown with arch rivals the Sharks at Toyota Park, the St George Illawarra front-rower was named in a 46-man squad, which will be cut back to 24 after the NRL finals series.

Poore said the surprise call-up would spur him on to make the final cut and lead the Dragons to a finals berth.

"I'm very happy, it was quite a surprise," he said.

"I hadn't thought about it at all, I can't believe it really, because there are so many good players out there.

"(The selection) is a good little push, it gives you those extra legs."

Poore was one of nine props named in the squad, which also included Queensland representatives Petero Civoniceva and Steve Price, as well as NSW stars Brett White, Willie Mason and Ben Cross.

Injured Dragons second-rower Ben Creagh and centre Matt Cooper were also included, as well as Wollongong juniors Glenn and Brett Stewart.

The final squad will be named on October 6, the day after the grand final.

Australia open the World Cup tournament against New Zealand on October 26 at the Sydney Football Stadium, with the final to be played on November 22 in Brisbane.

Fiji will be based in Wollongong during the Cup, with the Fijian team playing France at WIN Stadium on November 1.