South Sydney's Alex Johnston is on the verge of becoming the least experienced Australian player in more than a decade with the Rabbitohs winger emerging as a Kangaroos bolter.
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Fairfax Media understands Australian coach Tim Sheens is seriously considering Johnston and rookie teammate Dylan Walker for shock call-ups into the Four Nations squad. Johnston, 19, has surged into calculations with a breakthrough rookie season, scoring 19 tries from 16 appearances since making his debut in round eight.
It is understood Sheens is on the lookout for a left winger and Johnston's chances are enhanced because he would potentially play outside Rabbitohs teammate Greg Inglis for the Kangaroos. Inglis and Jarryd Hayne will retain their centre spots with Brett Morris playing on the right wing and Billy Slater at fullback.
Darius Boyd has had a mortgage on the left wing position in recent years but has withdrawn from selection while fellow World Cup squad member Brent Tate has retired. Canterbury centre Josh Morris has battled an ongoing knee injury since Origin while there is uncertainty surrounding Justin Hodges' availability. Roosters winger Daniel Tupou is also under consideration for the wing spot after a solid debut Origin series.
Johnston's selection would place him in the rare company of being picked for Australia despite playing less than 20 top-grade games. Others to have been selected recently with little first grade experience include Brent Tate (16 games), David Williams (20), Israel Folau (27) and Daly Cherry-Evans (27).
Folau is the youngest Test player having made his debut at 18 years and 194 days old. Jim Lisle (1962) played five top grade games before his Test selection while Reg Gasnier (1959) featured in seven for St George before earning his debut Australian jersey.
Johnston has had a distinguished junior representative career, having played for Australian Schoolboys and NSW in their under-16 and under-18 sides while Walker's ability to play anywhere in the backline has him pushing for a spot in the extended Kangaroos squad. He faces challenges from utility backs including Josh Dugan and Matt Moylan. Walker, who played for City Origin this year, said Test selection was not on his radar.
"It's overwhelming," Walker said of a potential Test spot. "No doubt about that. I just have to worry about what I do at training. I'm just focusing on the job I'm doing for the team. If I get picked it's a bonus. It's a team game. I'm doing the best I can in the last couple of weeks for the boys."
Remarkably, Walker and Johnston are still eligible for the under-20s. Walker is the more "senior" of the pair – he turns 20 at the end of the month. The duo played against each other at schoolboy level but united in South Sydney's Harold Matthews and SG Ball teams and have been in sublime form with Johnston scoring a double and Walker a try in South Sydney's 40-24 win over Manly.
Hodges, and Brisbane teammates Ben Hunt, Corey Parker, Dale Copley, Josh McGuire, Matt Gillett and Sam Thaiday were added to Australia's train-on squad as were Melbourne quartet Slater, Cameron Smith, Cooper Cronk, Will Chambers and Ryan Hoffman.