Australian coach Tim Sheens has issued a sombre warning to a host of Sunday's NRL grand final combatants, claiming the days of premierships translating into Test jumpers were over.

Sheens, who will be out to maintain his unbeaten record as Kangaroos coach in the upcoming Four Nations tournament, believes the evenness of the NRL competition could limit the chances of players riding their team's form into the Test squad.

Traditionally end of season Kangaroos sides are littered with players from the teams who took part in the grand final, with match-fitness as much as form helping them get the nod at the selection table.

Sydney Roosters playmakers Todd Carney and Mitchell Pearce appear on the cusp of Test selection - especially with the likes of Johnathan Thurston and Terry Campese out with injury - but even a premiership-winning performance on Sunday afternoon may not be enough to get them into green and gold.

"The season's been so tightly contested," Sheens said.

"There was no obvious grand finalist to be honest at the start of the season other than St George (who) were showing favouritism, but there was so many things that happened during the year.

"I don't think that the days of the grand final side being so obviously strong that half the side was always going to get picked, I don't think that's quite the case this year."

Last year's grand final sides Melbourne and Parramatta supplied eight players for the end of season tour to the UK and France, including veteran backrower Nathan Hindmarsh who reinvigorated his representative career courtesy of the Eels' run to the decider.

In 2008, nine players from grand final sides' Manly and Melbourne got picked in Australia's World Cup squad.

Of the players that will take to the field on Sunday, St George Illawarra flyer Brett Morris would be the only Dragon considered a certainty to make the squad, while it's hard to see how Roosters backrower Nate Myles could miss a start.

Injuries in the outside backs may give Dragons pair Mark Gasnier and Matt Cooper a chance, while a spot on the wing may be Darius Boyd's best hope with Billy Slater and Jarryd Hayne both ahead of him in the running for the fullback berth.

Prop Neville Costigan may profit from a groin injury which will see Dragons teammate Michael Weyman undergo surgery after the grand final, while backrowers Ben Creagh and Beau Scott have a long list of rivals for a place in the squad.

With Melbourne's Cooper Cronk likely to keep hold of the No.7 jumper now that Thurston is unavailable, Pearce and Carney are seemingly up against Scott Prince for the back-up playmaker spot.

"The longer the teams have played, the more they get a chance to impress ... the big game on the weekend it's your last chance to impress the day before a Kangaroo side is announced," Sheens said.

"It's a good time to have a big game."

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