Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga overlooks James Tedesco, Kalyn Ponga, Origin captains for Pacific Championship selection

Mal Meninga has dropped a major selection bombshell by overlooking both James Tedesco and Kalyn Ponga for Kangaroos selection, with the list of surprise omissions and debutants not ending there. See the full squad.

Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga has dropped a major selection bombshell by overlooking Origin skippers Jake Trbojevic and Daly Cherry-Evans, as well as Test incumbent captain James Tedesco, for his Australian Pacific Championships squad.

Kalyn Ponga’s backflip has also amounted to nothing with Ponga also overlooked.

The news is better for Jake’s brother, Tom Trbojevic, who will end his six-year Test exile.

Jake, who captained NSW to a series win this year in his first time leading the state, is expected to miss Meninga’s Pacific Championships squad.

Tedesco’s representative career appears over with Lindsay Collins and Angus Crichton the only Sydney Roosters in the squad.

“It was a difficult conversation,” Meninga said on Monday afternoon.

“It’s a bit of an evolution for the team on the back of what happened in the Pacific Championships last year.

“With that in the back of our minds (we made the call to drop him). Origin was really important for discussion across the selection table and form into the finals as well.

James Tedesco has been overlooked for the Pacific Championships. (Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images)

Kalyn Ponga has also been overlooked following his decision to make himself available again. (Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)

“It was a difficult conversation, but bear in mind that Teddy played game one for the NSW Blues, and then games two and three Dylan was the fullback. We chose based on Origin form.”

Meninga is also set to hand a Test debut to Penrith rookie prop Lindsay Smith, who has double cause to celebrate after he helped the Panthers to their fourth straight NRL premiership on Sunday.

Canterbury’s Matt Burton is in the squad while Melbourne Storm duo Xavier Coates and Harry Grant have been selected.

NSW heroes Mitchell Moses and Cameron Murray are in the squad.

Bradman Best, Zac Lomax and Mitch Barnett are also in line to play their first Tests after being selected.

Nathan Cleary (shoulder) and Kotoni Staggs (quadriceps) have been ruled out.

Injury has also ruled Cameron Munster out.

Originally published as Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga overlooks James Tedesco, Kalyn Ponga, Origin captains for Pacific Championship selection