Pull your finger out or you'll miss out - that's the message from former Australian rugby league selector John Raper to several out of form forwards ahead of next month's Anzac Test against New Zealand.

Raper said there were some forwards who were part of last year's unsuccessful Tri-Nations campaign who needed to lift their game.

But in a boost for selectors, inspirational Manly skipper Ben Kennedy is set to declare his availability for what could be a farewell Test appearance.

Kennedy drew the curtain on his representative career after Australia's humiliating 24-0 loss to New Zealand in last year's Tri-Nations final, but the opportunity to play under coach Ricky Stuart and alongside former Newcastle teammate Andrew Johns is set to tempt the 32-year-old into one last hurrah.

"It's likely that will happen," his manager Mike Newton said.

"I know that he was going to be making a decision with regard to the Test within the next 24 hours."

While Kennedy would be a near certain inclusion, several other players have only two more NRL games to show their true wares ahead of the May 5 clash against the Kiwis at Brisbane's Suncorp Stadium.

While selectors are blessed with a host of in-form players competing for backline positions, the same cannot be said about the forward pack with Raper expecting selectors to stick with those who have done the job in the past.

"But those guys have got to realise that if their form is down that the selectors would have noted that and they won't pick them, I can tell you that now, they'll go with something new," Raper said.

"I'm warning those guys that are just sort of lazing around that (think) they're automatic selections, to pull their finger out and get struck into it.

"It's no good them complaining after the side's been picked, like a few other players have done, when they haven't shown the form.

"They should devote a bit of time off the paddock to try and maintain that standard of play that the selectors expect them to have when they pick the team."

Former Kangaroos hard man Steve Roach said Bulldogs front rower Mark O'Meley and Brisbane veteran Petero Civoniceva were the only two players he considered certainties to make the squad.

O'Meley was demoted to the bench by Bulldogs coach Steve Folkes for the opening few rounds of the season, but has responded with several powerful performances to play his way back into the starting line-up.

"If I was a selector Mark O'Meley would be in my front row. I just like the way he plays, the harder it is the tougher he plays," Roach, a veteran of 19 Tests said.

"It probably all comes back to how much we miss Shane Webcke.

"I know that he's only been retired for a short time, but he's left a pretty big hole."

Two other players who would normally be in contention for the Australian front row, St George Illawarra pair Jason Ryles and Luke Bailey, will get their chance to stake a late claim for berths when they make their return in the coming weeks.

Ryles has overcome a broken hand and will play against the Sydney Roosters on Anzac Day, while Bailey is also some chance of making his comeback from a knee injury next week.

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