Australia's rugby league Test against New Zealand next week will spark Greg Inglis back to his brilliant best.

So says Inglis' former coach Craig Bellamy, who believes the star centre's big-match temperament will end criticism over his indifferent start to the NRL season with new club South Sydney.

Inglis' slow start to life with the Rabbitohs has been blamed on his lack of a pre-season due to off-season shoulder surgery.

And as selectors prepare to name their Test team following this weekend's NRL matches, Melbourne mentor Bellamy believes Inglis is on a slow-burn back to peak form.

"I'd certainly be picking him," the former NSW Origin coach said.

"I've never seen Greg Inglis play poorly in a big game - I don't think he's about to start now.

"Greg probably hasn't been in the best of form but he's just starting to warm to the task.

"He's had a couple of strong matches for Souths. He's just about ready to go."

Bellamy has also endorsed his halfback Cooper Cronk's Test credentials as Australian selectors consider who to pick to play New Zealand at the Gold Coast on Friday week.

Cronk is vying with North Queensland's Johnathan Thurston for a place.

Bellamy says Cronk has done enough at club level this season to warrant selection.

Cronk is also the incumbent Test halfback, after Thurston's absence through injury kept him out of the Four Nations tournament last year.

"They're not going to make a mistake having either JT or Cooper in it," Bellamy said.

"I'm probably a little bit biased, but Cooper played in the series at the end of the season and I think he deserves to stay there."

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