![Knights skipper Kalyn Ponga and centre Bradman Best. Picture by Jonathan Carroll Knights skipper Kalyn Ponga and centre Bradman Best. Picture by Jonathan Carroll](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/AFKkRPHwQbXhqFfb42nFTx/bc3d6a70-09ab-49f6-85e9-e756fb7cf373.jpg/r0_430_2400_1291_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
KNIGHTS skipper Kalyn Ponga and centre Bradman Best are a step closer to their Test debuts after being named in the Kangaroos' train-on squad.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
After Newcastle were eliminated from the play-off race by the Warriors on Saturday, national-team coach Mal Meninga has wasted no time in adding Ponga and Best to his list of candidates for the end-of-season series against Samoa and New Zealand.
Ponga has played for the Junior Kangaroos, and seven Origins for Queensland, but is yet to wear the green-and-gold at senior level.
Best represented Australian Schoolboys in 2018 and made a sensational two-try debut for NSW in Origin III this year.
It is understood Newcastle forward Tyson Frizell - a veteran of 14 Tests for Australia - was also closely considered by Meninga.
Meanwhile, Phoenix Crossland's hopes of a New Zealand call-up are likely to hinge on the severity of a knee injury he sustained against the Warriors.
The Knights hooker suffered suspected medial-ligament damage but the club was waiting for him to undergo scans.
New Zealand's first game in the series is against Samoa on October 21.
MORE IN SPORT: