Lyon is the reigning Super League Man of Steel

The centre, whose last international appearance was in 2003, is only the second Australian player to be selected from outside the NRL since 1988.

"It was a bit of a shock but I'm pretty excited about it," said Lyon. "It's a great honour to play for Australia."

Eight uncapped players are included in a 23-man squad, among them prop Anthony Tupou and winger Jarryd Hayne.

The other uncapped players are Justin Hodges, Ben Hornby, Greg Inglis, Brent Kite, Sam Thaiday and Cameron Smith.

Melbourne hooker Smith has been declared fit after he picked up an injury in Sunday's NRL Grand Final.

The Melbourne Storm skipper needed painkilling injections for a rib injury in the 15-8 loss to Brisbane Broncos.

Shaun Berrigan, man of the match in that final, is one of eight Brisbane Broncos players in the squad.

Berrigan's team-mate Darren Lockyer will captain Australia, whose campaign begins in Auckland against New Zealand on 14 October.

Not considered due to injury were Eric Grothe, Craig Fitzgibbon, Craig Gower, Timana Tahu, Matt Cooper and Steve Simpson.

Danny Buderus is unavailable while Andrew Johns, Ben Kennedy and Steve Menzies have retired from the international game.

Lyon, who made his debut for the Kangaroos aged 19, has been in outstanding form during his two seasons with St Helens.

But the 2005 Man of Steel was not expected to earn a recall to the Test scene until he returned to Australia with Manly Sea Eagles in 2007.

However, St Helens coach Daniel Anderson, a former New Zealand national coach, helped persuade the selectors to go for his man in a telephone call to new Australia coach Ricky Stuart last week.

Coincidentally, Darren Smith, another Saints man, was the first player to represent Australia while not playing in the NRL.

The former Canterbury and Brisbane centre or loose forward was an emergency call-up by Chris Anderson in 2003.

Australia squad for Tri-Nations

Backs: Mark Gasnier (St George Illawarra Dragons), Jarryd Hayne (Parramatta Eels), Justin Hodges (Brisbane Broncos), Ben Hornby (St George Illawarra Dragons), Karmichael Hunt (Brisbane Broncos), Greg Inglis (Melbourne Storm), Matt King (Melbourne Storm), Darren Lockyer (Brisbane Broncos, captain), Jamie Lyon (St Helens), Brent Tate (Brisbane Broncos), Johnathan Thurston (North Queensland Cowboys).

Forwards: Shaun Berrigan (Brisbane Broncos), Tonie Carroll (Brisbane Broncos), Petero Civoniceva (Brisbane Broncos), Nathan Hindmarsh (Parramatta Eels), Brent Kite (Manly Sea Eagles), Willie Mason (Canterbury Bulldogs), Luke O'Donnell (North Queensland Cowboys), Mark O'Meley (Canterbury Bulldogs), Andrew Ryan (Canterbury Bulldogs), Cameron Smith (Melbourne Storm), Sam Thaiday (Brisbane Broncos), Anthony Tupou (Sydney Roosters).