Lyon Given Australia Call Up

In the past Australian selectors have ignored Australians from the British leagues, and the reigning Man of Steel is only the second player to be picked from outside the NRL since 1988.

Lyon toured with the Kangaroos as a teenager in 2001 and has been in imperious form since he joined St Helens at the start of last season.

However the 24-year-old was not expected to be called up until after his return to Australia with Manly Sea Eagles next season.

Saints’ former New Zealand boss Daniel Anderson helped facilitate the inclusion of Lyon in the squad with a telephone call to new kangaroo coach Ricky Stuart last week.

The squad features eight uncapped players, including Roosters prop Anthony Tupou and Parramatta Eels’ rookie of the year Jarryd Hayne.

The other uncapped players are Justin Hodges, Ben Hornby, Greg Inglis, Brent Kite, Sam Thaiday and Cameron Smith.

Brisbane Broncos – who lifted the NRL Telstra Premiership yesterday – have eight players in the squad, including Darren Lockyer who has been named as captain. 
 
Australia squad for Tri-Nations

Shaun Berrigan (Brisbane Broncos), Tonie Carroll (Brisbane Broncos), Petero Civoniceva (Brisbane Broncos), Mark Gasnier (St George Illawarra Dragons), Jarryd Hayne (Parramatta Eels), Nathan Hindmarsh (Parramatta Eels), Justin Hodges (Brisbane Broncos), Ben Hornby (St George Illawarra Dragons), Karmichael Hunt (Brisbane Broncos), Greg Inglis (Melbourne Storm), Matt King (Melbourne Storm), Brent Kite (Manly Sea Eagles), Darren Lockyer (Brisbane Broncos, captain), Jamie Lyon (St Helens), Willie Mason (Canterbury Bulldogs), Luke O'Donnell (North Queensland Cowboys), Mark O'Meley (Canterbury Bulldogs), Andrew Ryan (Canterbury Bulldogs), Cameron Smith (Melbourne Storm), Brent Tate (Brisbane Broncos), Sam Thaiday (Brisbane Broncos), Johnathan Thurston (North Queensland Cowboys), Anthony Tupou (Sydney Roosters)