RUGBY LEAGUE
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
His selection was a fait accompli but Brett Morris couldn't hide his excitement as twin brother Josh earned a surprise recall to the Kangaroos squad for the Anzac Test with New Zealand on Friday.
Jarryd Hayne's shoulder injury suffered in the Eels' loss to the Cowboys on Saturday ruled him out of the annual Test match and selectors plumped for another Morris in their backline.
It will be the first time the twins will play together since they starred in Australia's 50-0 romp over Ireland in last year's World Cup.
"It's very exciting," Brett said. "We were both in a bit of shock to be honest.
"We thought the side would be pretty similar to the one which played in the World Cup final and when his name was read out I was shocked, as most people were.
"It's a great chance to play together. It's always very special when we get a chance to sing the national anthem side by side.
"As young kids coming through, we dreamed of playing for Australia and we're very lucky to be able to do it."
The twins are expected to line up on the same side of the field.
There will be more than a couple of familiar faces across the Anzac divide for the St George Illawarra winger after Jason Nightingale and Gerard Beale were drafted into the Kiwis squad.
Beale, who combined with Morris to great effect on the Dragons' left edge this year, will play his first Test since October 2012.
"They're both playing really good footy, so it's great for them to be included," Morris said.
"That's another challenge [coming up against Nightingale]. He's obviously a wonderful player and I train every day with him and he's also one of my best mates.
"If we're coming up against each other, it will certainly be a different experience."
Kangaroos coach Tim Sheens stayed largely loyal to the squad that won the World Cup - he discarded Andrew Fifita and Josh Papalii, while Nate Myles and Boyd Cordner take their spots on the bench.
It's a stark contrast to Stephen Kearney, who added six rookies to the New Zealand squad.
The Dragons representative contingent extended to the Country squad as Josh Dugan, Trent Merrin and Mitch Rein were included in Trent Barrett's side for the trip to Dubbo on Sunday.
It will be Rein's first representative jumper.
Kyle Stanley and Leeson Ah Mau, who were both relegated to the Illawarra Cutters last weekend, were included in the Samoa squad for the Pacific Test against Fiji on Saturday.