Eight debutants named in Kangaroos Pacific Championships squad

Eight new faces feature in the 21-player Kangaroos squad that will represent Australia at the 2024 Pacific Championships, with several notable omissions as the team was announced on Monday.

Previous captain James Tedesco failed to retain his position in the squad, as did both Origin captains, Daly Cherry-Evans and Jake Trbojevic.

Kalyn Ponga was also not selected, as expected given his self-exclusion from the team last month.

Isaah Yeo will captain the new-look side, with Lindsay Smith, Zac Lomax, Tom Drearden, Xavier Coates, Bradman Best and Mitch Barnett all getting selected for the first time in the Kangaroos.

“These are the best of the best, and they will represent Australia with pride,” said Australian Rugby League Commission Chairman Peter V’Landys of the 2024 squad.

“Selection in this team is the ultimate achievement in our game.

“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.”

Coach Mal Meninga also gave his take on the side, emphasising how important the upcoming competition is.

“We saw some outstanding individual performances through the finals series as well as the grand final,” he 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.”

Australia begin their campaign against Tonga on October 18, where they are $1.14 favourites to win across most rugby league betting sites.

Full Kangaroos 2024 Pacific Championships squad

• 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

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