OPINION: I am more than a little concerned at the make-up of our Australian Rugby League team named for this week's test against the Kiwis.

Judging by the team selected, we can really only make two assumptions –

1. our selectors have not yet begun to think about the World Cup next year and have decided to give a number of senior players a swansong in Australia as a reward for their outstanding service, or

CHRIS HYDE/GETTY IMAGES Shaun Johnson celebrates a try with team-mates during last year's test.

2. the selectors intend to take this ageing group into the World Cup.

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Neither of the above strategies fill me with great confidence.

Australia played one test last year against New Zealand. We were thumped 26-12. It wasn't just the score-line on that day that frightened me. The Kiwi dominance was far greater than the final score reflected. What stood out was the New Zealand team boasted a core of much younger players who were only just coming into their prime so far as test football is concerned. There was far more upside to the Kiwis than Australia.

As a result, I would have envisaged our selectors realising the writing was on the wall for our senior players and we should commence a program of rebuilding towards the next World Cup.

The one conclusion we can draw from this team is it is not the start of a rebuilding program. Either they intend to use the Four Nations tournament at the end of this season to begin such a process, or they have every intention of taking these older blokes into the World Cup.

I'm not saying that the team named for this weekend's match can't win this particular game. I think they probably still win, given the key players unavailable for New Zealand through injury and suspension.

However, if the Australian coach and selectors have made a decision to wheel out this ageing group for the World Cup 2017, then I think we are virtually handing the trophy to the Kiwis. Don't get me wrong, these older Australian players are absolutely brilliant individuals and have given their clubs, state and country outstanding service. But the time has come to thank them and start building a new team.

Seven of Australia's 17-man test squad for next week's test will be over 32 when the World Cup starts next year.

Conversely, of the 35-40 players that would be under serious consideration for Kiwi World Cup selection, only utility Thomas Leuluai, who will turn 32 a little over four months prior to the commencement of the World Cup, will be over 32 when the World Cup kicks off. Leuluai is likely to face pressure for a spot in the 24-man Kiwi squad from up and coming hookers Danny Levi (Newcastle), Mania Cherrington (Wests Tigers), Jazz Tevaga (Warriors) and Sione Katoa (Penrith), all former Junior Kiwis.

Australia has missed a great opportunity this week to freshen up the Australian team with an injection of youth and start preparing for a serious tilt at the World Cup next year. If they are just giving these old warriors a swansong test Match in Australia before those World Cup preparations commence in the Four Nations at the end of this year, well, I don't necessarily agree with that strategy, but I guess we can all understand their sentiments.

If, however, it is the intention of the Australian coach and selectors to take these old blokes right through to the World Cup in October 2017, then I think we are totally on the wrong track.