Moses among eight debutants in Kangaroos squad

The Australian Rugby League Commission has confirmed the 21-player squad to represent the Kangaroos in the 2024 Pacific Championships.

The Kangaroos selectors have named eight debutants in the squad, which will play in the tournament against Tonga and New Zealand.

The squad also includes six players who took part in Sunday’s Grand Final.

The  Kangaroos will play Tonga at Suncorp Stadium, Townsville, on October 18, followed by New Zealand at Apollo Projects Stadium, Christchurch on October 27.

The Commission also confirmed Isaah Yeo as Captain and Harry Grant as Vice-Captain.

“These are the best of the best, and they will represent Australia with pride. Selection in this team is the ultimate achievement in our game,” ARLC Chairman Mr Peter V’landys AM said.

“There was strong competition for a number of positions and I am excited to see what this group of players can achieve in the green and gold.

“Isaah is the Premiership co-captain and was an excellent choice as the next Captain of the Kangaroos. I’d like to particularly thank James Tedesco for leading this team so successfully and wish Isaah the best as James set the highest standard.

“I’d also like to congratulate Harry Grant on being made Vice-Captain.”

Kangaroos Coach Mal Meninga congratulated all of the players on their selection in the squad.

“We saw some outstanding individual performances through the Finals Series as well as the Grand Final,” Meninga said. “This group has experience in the green and gold and will be motivated to win.

“This is an important tournament for the Kangaroos. We will face some high-quality opposition in Tonga and New Zealand in what is the biggest international competition in the Pacific.”

The squad, listed alphabetically, is as follows:

 

Mitch Barnett *                New Zealand Warriors

Matt Burton                      Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs

Bradman Best *               Newcastle Knights

Patrick Carrigan               Brisbane Broncos

Xavier Coates *                Melbourne Storm

Lindsay Collins                 Sydney Roosters

Reuben Cotter                  North Queensland Cowboys

Angus Crichton                Sydney Roosters

Tom Dearden *                 North Queensland Cowboys

Dylan Edwards                 Penrith Panthers

Harry Grant (vc)               Melbourne Storm

Ben Hunt                           St George Illawarra Dragons

Zac Lomax *                     St George Illawarra Dragons

Liam Martin                      Penrith Panthers

Mitch Moses *                  Parramatta Eels

Cameron Murray             South Sydney Rabbitohs

Reece Robson *               North Queensland Cowboys

Lindsay Smith *               Penrith Panthers

Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow    Dolphins

Tom Trbojevic                  Manly Warringah Sea Eagles

Isaah Yeo (c)                    Penrith Panthers

* Denotes debutant