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Ben Hornby (L) and Brett Morris (R) - Source: Getty -
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Brett Morris' brilliant 2009 season reached a stunning crescendo on Wednesday night with the St George Illawarra flyer one of three debutants named in the Australian side for this weekend's Four Nations clash against New Zealand.
Morris will join props Ben Hannant and Brett White in pulling on the green and gold for the first time when the Kangaroos open their campaign against the World Cup champions in London on Saturday night.
The 23-year-old Morris beat off challenges from twin brother Josh and Penrith centre Michael Jennings to snare the wing berth vacated by the injured Israel Folau, with Parramatta superstar Jarryd Hayne filling the other wing spot.
Morris's elevation to the Test side completes a meteoric rise after he started the NRL season playing for Shellharbour in the NSW Cup and finished it as the NRL's leading tryscorer.
"I started the year in reserve grade so from where I was to where I am now, it's like a roller coaster," Morris said.
"I'm on a massive high and I can't wait to get out there on Saturday night."
Morris admitted much of the credit for his rise to Test football had to go to his Dragons teammates.
"With the year that we had - without those guys I probably wouldn't be here - they made my job a lot easier, playing consistent footy," he said.
In all, coach Tim Sheens made seven changes to the side which defeated the Kiwis 38-10 at Suncorp Stadium in May, with only Folau and Steve Price missing out due to injury.
Dropped from the team are Darius Boyd and backrowers Anthony Laffranchi and Glenn Stewart, while bench props Luke Bailey and Brent Kite also failed to make the make the touring squad.
Along with the three debutants, Hayne, Trent Waterhouse, Sam Thaiday and Ryan Hoffman were reinstated to the national side.
Australia's squad is:
Billy Slater, Brett Morris, Justin Hodges, Greg Inglis, Jarryd Hayne, Darren Lockyer (capt), Johnathan Thurston, Petero Civoniceva, Cameron Smith, Ben Hannant, Paul Gallen, Trent Waterhouse, Anthony Watmough. Interchange: Kurt Gidley, Sam Thaiday, Ryan Hoffman, Brett White.
