Tim Sheens' first Australian Test squad will have a distinct Ricky Stuart feel to it, with only minor changes expected from the Kangaroos side stunned in last year's World Cup final.

One wing berth, the back row and a few seats on the interchange bench are all that remain up for grabs for the Test next Friday against New Zealand.

Stuart's first international foray heralded a new era for Australia, with Johnathan Thurston and Karmichael Hunt handed Test debuts as two of eight changes to the side which lost the 2005 Tri-Nations final.

No such clearout is expected when the squad is named on Sunday evening.

The only possible bolter would appear to be in-form St George Illawarra prop Michael Weyman, but he still needs a big game against the Warriors on Sunday to unseat reigning Clive Churchill medallist Brent Kite.

"There's always one or two that are a bit outstanding," Test selector Des Morris said of the possibility of a bolter being included.

"Nothing's settled, we'll finalise it on Sunday."

The back row appears the most contentious of all calls, with starting incumbents Anthony Laffranchi, Glenn Stewart and Paul Gallen facing challenges from all directions.

Of the three backrowers on the bench against the Kiwis last November - Anthony Watmough, Anthony Tupou and Craig Fitzgibbon - only Watmough is coming close to his 2008 form.

"It probably is (the toughest call)," Morris said of the back row.

"Fortunately we've got plenty of players in good form."

Gallen's prospects received a major boost when he was cleared by the NRL judiciary on Wednesday night, the rugged enforcer with one last chance to impress.

The same can't be said for North Queensland's Luke O'Donnell, who was rubbed out of his side's match against Parramatta due to a fighting charge.

That could open the door for the likes of wide-running Dragon Ben Creagh, rugged Brisbane forward Sam Thaiday or former Test representatives Ryan Hoffman and Trent Waterhouse, all of whom have started 2009 in blistering form.

In the backs, all but one wing spot seems assured with Billy Slater, Israel Folau, Greg Inglis, Justin Hodges, Thurston and skipper Darren Lockyer picking themselves.

Manly winger David Williams - who missed the opening six rounds of the season with a shoulder injury - looks to have left his run a little too late in a bid to retain his Test jumper, leaving it to Darius Boyd and Joel Monaghan to fight it out.

Boyd's likely selection would complete the first all-Queensland Test backline since 1924 and would take the total number of Maroons in the Australian side to at least ten with an engine room of Steve Price, Petero Civoniceva and Cameron Smith all but certain.

Likely squad: Billy Slater, Darius Boyd, Justin Hodges, Greg Inglis, Israel Folau, Darren Lockyer (capt), Johnathan Thurston, Steve Price, Cameron Smith, Petero Civoniceva, Anthony Laffranchi, Glenn Stewart, Paul Gallen. Interchange: Kurt Gidley, Luke O'Donnell, Anthony Watmough, Michael Weyman.

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