Kangaroos coach Tim Sheens will look to field close to a full strength side against rank outsider Papua New Guinea in Australia's Four Nations opener in order to give his stars some much-needed game time.

Australia opens their campaign against the Kumuls at Parramatta Stadium next weekend in a game most observers believe they will win handsomely.

While Sheens said he hoped to give all 24 squad members a game during the tournament, he was leaning towards picking a near full-strength selection against PNG.

Some of his key players, including halves Darren Lockyer and Cooper Cronk, fullback Billy Slater and hooker Cameron Smith will have gone seven weeks without a match after their teams failed to make the NRL finals.

"It's probably close to what we think is our strongest side, but that can change based on form," Sheens said when asked about his selection criteria.

"Remember you've got 24 starting players here, you haven't got bench players or rookies, so we'll just have to wait and see how we go.

"Of course we will be looking at getting as much game time in this first game for our key guys as possible, particularly the guys who haven't played for seven weeks."

Parramatta back Jarryd Hayne left Saturday's training session early after suffering a slight hamstring strain.

The only player who didn't participate at all was veteran prop Petero Civoniceva, who is in Fiji for his sister's wedding and will return to camp on Sunday.

Sheens said playing PNG wasn't an ideal preparation for matches against England and New Zealand, but nevertheless expected the Kumuls to show plenty of enthusiasm.

Sheens nominated the backrow and outside backs as the most contentious selection areas of his side.

Injuries have deprived him of several leading centres, but he reiterated he would have no fears about experimenting with Hayne or Darius Boyd in that area.

He has a multitude of backrow options, though Sam Thaiday and Paul Gallen appear front-runners for starting positions.

Other contenders include Greg Bird, Nate Myles, Anthony Watmough, Luke Lewis and Dean Young.

Bird who returned to the NRL this year with Gold Coast after one-year in Europe with French club Les Catalans, wasn't bothered about where he might be selected.

"I enjoy playing five-eighth, I enjoy playing lock, whether I play lock or five-eighth it doesn't really worry me, I will play the similar style of football and get the ball in my hands and run," he said.

Bird said he didn't expect to earn Australian recognition so soon after his return to the NRL.

"It was definitely a goal to come back and make it back to the Australian rep level, but I didn't expect it this soon.

"We had a really good year with the Titans and when you are in a good team it gives you every opportunity to play well."

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