It was out with the old and in with the new as Australian selectors ushered in a fresh era for the Kangaroos ahead of next year's Rugby League World Cup.

Seven players were named to make their Test debuts in the October 14 clash against New Zealand in Wellington, a mixture of injuries and poor form leaving the Australian side vastly different from the squad who accounted for the Kiwis in the mid-year Test.

Among the debutants named were Cronulla duo Paul Gallen and Greg Bird, but it was a day of mixed feelings for Gallen who still has to get through a team medical on Thursday.

Gallen hurt his shoulder while playing for the Prime Minister's XIII in last week's 24-24 draw with Papua New Guinea, and is racing the clock to be fit to wear the No.13 jumper against the Kiwis.

"I'm not too excited just yet, I've got to pass my medical first ... I'll wait until I get cleared before I get too happy about it," Gallen said.

"I'll be really, really disappointed if I don't pass the medical, I'm just going to hang out until then and see how I go.

"The docs actually said last Wednesday I probably wouldn't be right but it's come pretty good the last three or four days."

Joining the Sharks pair in getting their first Test call-up were fullback Brett Stewart, winger Jarryd Hayne, backrower Ryan Hoffman, bench utility Kurt Gidley and No.7 Cooper Cronk, who will partner Bird in what is a new halves pairing.

"It's not so much changing of the guard as looking to the future," Australian selector Les Geeves said.

"Next year's the centenary year and there's the World Cup, but obviously the injuries have taken a toll as well."

First choice halves Darren Lockyer (knee) and Johnathan Thurston (shoulder) were both unavailable for selection, as was incumbent fullback Karmichael Hunt (hamstring).

In all, there were 11 new faces from the side which beat New Zealand 30-6 in April this year, which represented the biggest turnover of players since 2003.

Cronk got the nod after out-pointing rival halfback Matt Orford in Melbourne's 34-8 grand final win over Manly, the Storm rewarded for their dominance over the last two seasons with their best ever representation in a Test side.

Joining Cronk were Greg Inglis, who was picked on the wing, Michael Crocker, Hoffman and hooker Cameron Smith, who was named as skipper in place of the injured Lockyer.

"I wake up every morning proud as punch to play halfback for the Melbourne Storm and I'm content with that," Cronk said on his return to the Victorian capital.

"But to play halfback for my country is something completely different.

"I'm going to worry about it a little bit later on, I've got an NRL title to celebrate."

For Smith, being handed the captaincy capped a memorable 24 hours.

"I was overwhelmed last night to be able to lift this trophy up and lead these boys to a grand final win, but to be the captain of your country is something special," he said.

"It was only last year that I was behind Danny (Buderus for the hooker spot).

"I know I was very lucky that Danny stood down because he had a baby on the way and that gave me that opportunity.

"The only guys I can thank are the guys that I play with here and the coaches.

"I'm pretty certain that I wouldn't be in the position that I'm in now if I was playing somewhere else so I'm very fortunate to be at a club like this."

Coach Ricky Stuart admitted Melbourne's grand final win had helped sway the selectors, with several positions under scrutiny heading into last night's decider.

"There was a number of players in contention and yes there were some Manly players, but not only Manly players," Stuart said.

"There were a number of positions that were very contentious in regards to selection."

Australia: Brett Stewart (Manly), Greg Inglis (Melbourne), Mark Gasnier (St George Illawarra), Justin Hodges (Brisbane), Jarryd Hayne (Parramatta), Greg Bird (Cronulla), Cooper Cronk (Melbourne), Brent Kite (Manly), Cameron Smith (capt, Melbourne), Petero Civoniceva (Brisbane), Nathan Hindmarsh (Parramatta), Ryan Hoffman (Melbourne), Paul Gallen (Cronulla). Interchange: Kurt Gidley (Newcastle), Willie Mason (Bulldogs), Steve Price (NZ Warriors), Michael Crocker (Melbourne).

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