Newcastle is looking for answers after a shattered Ben Kennedy was left out of the Australian team for Friday's Test against NZ - despite believing he could have been fit to play.

Kennedy was considered an automatic selection before suffering a hamstring tear during the Knights' 32-22 loss to the Sydney Roosters at EnergyAustralia Stadium on Sunday.

The 30-year-old was subsequently not considered by Test selectors, with the Australian Rugby League saying it received advice from Newcastle that Kennedy would be "unfit" to play.

Kennedy - who missed four Tests last year through suspension and injury - was devastated by his omission and said he would have liked the chance to prove his fitness.

"I would like to have been given an opportunity," Kennedy said.

"I'm definitely not saying I would have been right. I don't know.

"The biggest thing is I would have liked to sleep on it and then get a medical.

"It certainly hurts. One, I would have loved to have been coached by Wayne Bennett, and two, I missed out last year through suspension and at the end of the year through injury.

"I would have given my left arm to play, especially at home in Newcastle."

Newcastle rang the ARL seeking clarification over Kennedy's omission.

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