Johns was preferred to Queensland captain Gorden Tallis after some "constructive discussion" between the 10 board members and will lead the Kangaroos in the one-off match against the old enemy at Aussie Stadium on Friday night.

ARL chairman Colin Love announced the captain after naming the 17-man squad for the clash with the British, which included shock selections Willie Mason and Brent Tate on the bench.

The New Zealand- born Mason came from outside the State of Origin arena to force his way into the squad, while Tate has only played 16 NRL games and was used off the bench by Queensland in the third Origin game.

Other notable selections included:

¤Lote Tuqiri on one wing despite his rumoured imminent signing with rugby union.

¤Melbourne's Scott Hill at lock despite playing off the bench for NSW in the Origin series.

¤Cronulla prop Jason Stevens on the bench after missing the Origin series.