Brent Sherwin fears Australian coach Chris Anderson will select Brett Kimmorley at halfback for the Kangaroo tour despite Cronulla not being involved in the National Rugby League finals.

But Penrith mentor John Lang, whose No.7 Craig Gower is also a contender to replace injured Test captain Andrew Johns, said: "There's no point worrying about how much Chris Anderson likes Brett Kimmorley. If you're in the running, you have to just get out there and play."

The Bulldogs' Sherwin, versatile Gower and the Sharks' Kimmorley are the front-runners to win the halfback position when Australia tours New Zealand and England from October.

Anderson has used Sharks skipper Kimmorley as Johns's Test replacement before and Sherwin believes it will probably happen again - even if Kimmorley has been starved of matches.

"If Brett is fit and ready to go, I'd say Chris would want to take him on the tour," said Sherwin.

"It would be a dream come true of mine to make the Kangaroos, for sure, but I'm trying not to think too much about it.

"I just want to concentrate on my club footy and help the team hopefully make the grand final. If we do that, I suppose it will improve my chances of being picked.

"The more games you play at the end of the year, the better your chances. I'd just be happy to get to the grand final - and win it - and see what comes out of that."

Johns has been ruled out for the year with a serious neck injury.

"I really felt sorry for him when it happened," said Sherwin.

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