Australian captain Cameron Smith believes Billy Slater will force the hand of Test selectors if he continues to improve over the next few NRL rounds.
Fullback Slater, having played only one full game since round five in 2015 due to shoulder surgery, impressed in the Storm's weekend win over the Wests Tigers.
Ahead of the May 5 Anzac Test against New Zealand in Canberra, Smith says if Slater's back to his best, he cannot be overlooked.
With Greg Inglis sidelined with a knee injury, Slater can reclaim the Kangaroos No.1 jersey from Darius Boyd and Matt Moylan that he made his own since his Test debut in 2008.
He will go head to head with Moylan when the Storm hosts Penrith on Saturday night.
Round 5 of the NRL kicks off tonight when the Bulldogs meet the Broncos at 9.05pm.
Source: NRL
