Meninga backs Young in starting spot for Kangaroos

As much as he'd love to have Payne Haas, Tino Fa'asuamaleaui and Tom Flegler at his disposal, Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga believes the opportunity to blood Lindsay Smith and Hudson Young will reap huge dividends for the world champions.

Two-time Panthers premiership winner Smith will make his Test debut from the bench in the cauldron of the Pacific Cup final on Sunday, while Canberra's Young moves into the starting side for the first time.

A baptism of fire awaits for Smith against the ferocious Tonga pack, while Young played just 12 minutes against the men in red in week one, but Meninga has no doubt both men are ready to step up.

"I have watched Lindsay for a long time and he has always been a player of great promise," Meninga said.

"He has had a great last couple of years obviously, he knows how to win, and he has been great around the group.

"He loves putting the green and gold jersey on, he loves the environment, and he has great energy.

"We're missing Payne and Tino and Flegler but I'm really happy with the group I’ve got at the moment. Lindsay is one of the best young front-rowers coming through the game."

Young, meanwhile, has overcome the disappointment of being dropped from the NSW side after the opening game of the Origin series to win a spot in Meninga's squad and chalk up two Tests against Tonga and the Kiwis.

Come Sunday at CommBank Stadium and the 26-year-old gets his first appearance in the run-on side as the Kangaroos seek to make amends for last year's 30-0 loss to the Kiwis in the Cup decider.

"With Cam Murray out injured, it was the natural progression to move Hudson into the starting side," Meninga said.

"He is passionate, aggressive, he loves playing the game and he's a great student of the game.

"He has a lot to prove starting the game but I’m certain he is up for the challenge.

"We've been able to give him the continuity at rep level and he has done a really good job.

"We put him in the middle last week when we were fatigued, we had made a lot of tackles, and he handled the middle really well.

"Our guys are fully aware of the battle in front of us. We are up for it. We won’t be shy.

"The whole Tonga team will be buzzing, knowing they can compete at this level, and there will be a sea of red in the crowd which is great for the game.

"We are passionate about our jersey as well and we will be in there fighting."