A GLIMPSE of two internationals of the future will meet on Sunday for the first time - Manly's Kieran Foran and Rooster Todd Carney.

One of the game's best five-eighths, Terry Lamb, thinks purists will enjoy the battle of will and skill at the Sydney Football Stadium.

He says it will be like a window into the 2013 World Cup -- if not sooner -- when New Zealander Foran and Carney will oppose each other in the Test arena as well as the NRL.

"I think it's a real possibility," Lamb said. "Foran is already there and I've got a lot of time for Todd Carney. I think he's a very good footballer. He competes so well in both defence and attack. I suggested he should have been in the No 6 jersey for NSW this year."

Darren Lockyer is Australia's five-eighth and captain but will be 34 next March.

The 20-year-old from Auckland is adept at either five-eighth or halfback. But since he only made his NRL debut last year, and the Sea Eagles have not met the Roosters yet this season, it will be the first clash between Foran and Carney.

"It's going to be fantastic," Manly vice-captain Jason King said. "Todd has been playing some great football and Kieran is one of the real emerging stars."

Foran has made 15 try-assists and seven line-break assists in his 20 games this season compared with Carney's 12 and 15 respectively from 22 games.

"Todd is so quick around the field with a great kicking game," Lamb said. "And Kieran is a very good runner in broken play and he's very tough."

The young Kiwi is also best friends with Roosters halfback Mitchell Pearce.

"I dare say there'll be a bit of banter during the week with them. They are really good mates," King said.

"I know Kieran is keen to get one up on him and Mitchell will be the same."

Manly's cause wasn't helped with the news Shane Rodney had torn an anterior cruciate ligament against the Warriors and would not play again this year.

Test backrower Anthony Watmough (ankle) limped around and did not train but was selected.

Manly coach Des Hasler was unconcerned that the Sea Eagles have yet to play

the Roosters. King thought otherwise.

"It is a bit strange. It's all going to be new to us. That means we'll do extra video on them.

"It is weird to meet a team for the first time in round 25, and then the Bulldogs for the first time in round 26."

Manly has had an unhappy year with injuries, including the absence of two internationals -- David Williams (shoulder) and Brett Stewart (knee).

Hasler said Stewart was worth "six to eight points" a game. Five of Manly's 10 losses have been around that margin.

"In saying that, the club has shown plenty of character to get by without Brett. But certainly Brett adds that X-factor to any football side," Hasler said.

"What would Melbourne be without Billy Slater? Or Parramatta without Jarryd Hayne, or Penrith without Lachlan Coote, or the Broncos without Darren Lockyer? . . . made my point?"

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