Kangaroos team: Mal Meninga owes little loyalty to incumbents

They haven’t played a game in over 18 months and there could well be a completely different looking Kangaroos side under Mal Meninga at the end of the year.

A dejected looking Australia after defeat in the rugby league Oceania Cup test match between Australia and Tonga at Eden Park in Auckland, New Zealand, Saturday, November 2, 2019. (AAP Image/David Rowland) NO ARCHIVING, EDITORIAL USE ONLY

Mal Meninga’s Kangaroos are facing the biggest squad overhaul in decades with only five of the 34 players in the opening State of Origin game guaranteed a green and gold jersey.

Blues superstar Tom Trbojevic, Maroons hooker Harry Grant and the NRL’s best player Nathan Cleary head an impressive list of players who are thumping on the selection door.

From the last 19-man Kangaroos squad chosen in 2019 to play New Zealand and Tonga, only James Tedesco, Josh Addo-Carr, Cameron Munster and most likely Cameron Murray and Payne Haas could feel confident about getting another Kangaroos jersey.

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Just five of the 2019 Kangaroos can be considered ‘safe’ selections in Mal Meninga’s next squad. Picture: AAP Image/David Rowland

A host of players from the 2019 squad have no chance – Nick Cotric, Luke Keary (injured), Paul Vaughan, Dave Klemmer, Ben Hunt and Wade Graham.

Others are under huge pressure like Daly Cherry Evans (from Cleary) and Damien Cook (from Grant.)

Meninga told News Corp it is the most open for years.

The likes of Angus Crichton, Victor Radley, David Fifita, Felise Kaufusi, Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, Valentine Holmes, Xavier Coates, Daniel Saifiti, Latrell Mitchell, Liam Martin, Christian Welch, Dane Gagai and Kurt Capewell were not involved with the 2019 team.

“I like to be loyal to the incumbents but this year I’ve got an open mind,” Meninga said.

“Cherry Evans v Cleary – there’s a great challenge for both players.

“How good is it to have Cook v Grant. It’s fantastic for rep football.

“For the first time in a long while Origin will play a big part in selecting the Kangaroos and that’s the way it should be. It’s going to be a yardstick for a lot of decisions we face.”

Meninga is also uncertain about the availability of a number of Polynesian players.

“A lot will depend on availability as well as form,” Meninga said, “What are guys like Daniel Saifiti going to do. Does he want to represent Australia or his heritage?

“I don’t begrudge any player wanting to play for his country.

“Josh Papalii and Brian To’o are in the same position. It’s a conversation we’ll need to have a bit further down the track.”

(L-R) Damien Cook is dueling with Harry Grant while Nathan Cleary could oust incumbent Kangaroos halfback Daly Cherry-Evans with a dominant Origin performance.

There is also the issue of Roosters forward Boyd Cordner, who is the current Kangaroos captain.

He will make a return for the Roosters in the next fortnight and make a decision on his future in representative football later in the season.

There is no urgency around the selection issues because still no decision has been made on whether the World Cup goes ahead in England at the end of the season.

If not the Kangaroos will more than likely play in a series involving New Zealand, Tonga and Samoa in October.

Originally published as Kangaroos team: Mal Meninga owes little loyalty to incumbents