Brisbane lock Tonie Carroll is set to become the first rugby league player in 90 years to play for both Australia and New Zealand after being named in the Kangaroos squad.

Carroll was included in a 25-man squad for the upcoming Tri-Nations tournament against New Zealand and Great Britain - four years after he was given special dispensation to play for the Kiwis in the 2000 World Cup.

Provided he gains selection in one of the five Test matches on tour - six if Australia qualify for the Tri-Nations final - Carroll will become the first player since Bill Kelly in 1914 to play for both countries.

"He's played as consistently as I've ever seen him play," national coach Wayne Bennett said.

"He's played all State of Origins since 1998 so he's always seen himself as an Australian - but when the 2000 World Cup came around he didn't get picked in the Australian team and he was allowed to play for New Zealand."

Carroll declined an approach from the Kiwis this year - he was born in Christchurch - to make himself available for Australia.

His selection probably cost incumbent Test lock Shaun Timmins his place in the touring party.

The St George Illawarra utility, who has been plagued by chronic knee problems, indicated he would hold talks with the club and could retire from representative rugby league.

"We were going to sit down and talk about it later," Timmins said.

"It will be a bit sooner now. It was going to be my last (tour)."

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