RUGBY LEAGUE
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His selection for the Anzac Test was a fait accompli, but Brett Morris is already eyeing off a berth on the end-of-season World Cup tour with the revenge-seeking Kangaroos.
The flying winger is in line to earn his 12th Test cap against New Zealand with Darius Boyd to man the other flank.
Morris's St George Illawarra teammate Trent Merrin was nudged out of contention over the weekend with Tim Sheens recalling the experienced back row trio of Anthony Watmough, Luke Lewis and Sam Thaiday.
However, any disappointment of missing out on the Test team was countered by the Dragons thrilling 13-12 win over Wests Tigers at the SCG yesterday, with five-eighth Jamie Soward slotting a field goal just before full-time.
Justin Hodges and Kurt Gidley were other fresh faces among five changes from last year's end-of-season Test against New Zealand.
Morris acknowledged the result of the Anzac Test would take on extra significance in light of Australia's bid to wrest the World Cup off their trans Tasman rivals. The Kangaroos play England in the World Cup opener at Cardiff on October 26.
"It's one of those things you love doing . . . you love playing for your country and being a World Cup year, I'd love to be going to it," Morris told the Mercury.
"I felt I've been a fair part of the side the last couple of years so I really want to be on that tour at the end of the year. There's a lot of guys that want to be on that tour at the end of the year and there's a lot of guys that will be trying to play out of their skin to get on that tour."
St George Illawarra will also have a foot in the New Zealand camp with Jason Nightingale selected in Stephen Kearney's side.
Bronson Harrison failed in his bid to end a two-year hiatus from the Kiwi set-up after missing selection in the 19-man squad.
Merrin was the only Dragon named to feature in the City-Country State Of Origin trial at Coffs Harbour on Friday night with clubmates Dan Hunt and Ben Creagh snubbed by selectors.
Willie Mason is on the verge of resurrecting his State Of Origin career and will partner Bulldog Aiden Tolman in the front row. Merrin will start at lock.
There was better news for the Dragons squad ahead of the one-off Samoa and Tonga Test with Daniel Vidot and Leeson Ah Mau earning spots in the Samoan squad. Dragons coach Steve Price will coach the Samoan side.
"There's a lot of pride in those jerseys," Vidot said. "It will be good for Samoa as an international team to get a win to boost confidence going into the World Cup . . . so hopefully I can get my form good here at a club level and take it into the World Cup."
ST GEORGE ILLAWARRA DRAGONS 13 (Daniel Vidot, Brett Morris, Matt Cooper tries; Jamie Soward field goal) defeated WESTS TIGERS 12 (Ben Murdoch-Masila, Tim Moltzen tries; Braith Anasta 2 goals) at SCG. Referees: Matt Cecchin and Luke Phillips. Crowd: 21,844.