NRL 2023: Kangaroos name four debutants, Stephen Crichton’s shock positional switch Test

Injuries and off-field scandals have forced Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga to name four debutants, while Samoa star Stephen Crichton lines up at five-eighth in the Pacific Championships Test.

Tyrell Sloan is set to miss three months. Picture: Jeremy Ng/Getty Images

Injuries and off-field scandals have forced Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga to name four debutants for Australia, including star Penrith fullback Dylan Edwards.

Edwards, fresh from helping Penrith to three-straight premierships, has been named to start on the wing alongside Brisbane youngster Selwyn Cobbo ahead of Australia’s clash against Samoa at Queensland Country Bank Stadium in Townsville on Saturday.

While Broncos star Kotoni Staggs and Dolphins speedster Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow will earn their Test debut in the centres.

Edwards had missed out on selection but was later called into the squad after Canterbury flyer Josh Addo-Carr was slapped with a two-game ban for his part in a brawl at the Koori Knockout.

Valentine Holmes is also unavailable for selection after he received a one-match ban for posting a photo of himself with a plastic bag, containing what appeared to be a white substance, in his mouth last month.

Kangaroos captain James Tedesco with coach Mal Meninga.

South Sydney superstar Latrell Mitchell withdrew from the Pacific Championships with a finger injury.

“The opportunity has come up for them to put the green and gold jersey on and I’ve got no doubt they’ll all play really well for their country,” Meninga said.

“You can tell from their actions that they’re excited about making their own mark at this level, while learning from some of the established players in the team.

“They’re all great young men and talented players, and I’m confident you will see the best of them on Saturday.”

Cronulla halfback Nicho Hynes has been named as 18th man.

Grand final hero Nathan Cleary is also unavailable after the halfback picked up a knee injury during the decider.

The Kangaroos have been in camp at Queensland’s Airlie Beach and will travel to Townsville on Thursday.

SAMOA STAR’S SHOCK SWITCH

- David Riccio

Champion Penrith centre Stephen Crichton is poised to embark on the biggest individual challenge of his career by playing five-eighth for the first time in his career - and for his country.

In a shock call, Crichton has been named to make his debut in the halves for Samoa ahead of a clash with Australia in the opening game of the Pacific Championships on Saturday night in Townsville.

Crichton, 23, has only ever played fullback, wing and centre across his 100 NRL appearances.

Such is the magnitude of the selection bombshell, interest in how the 2023 Dally M Centre of the Year makes the move closer to the ball will provoke renewed interest in the match.

The most intrigued observers will be Bulldogs fans, with Crichton headed to Canterbury on a long-term deal from 2024.

One of the casualties of Penrith’s salary cap pressure following three consecutive premierships, Crichton has an ambition to shift from the centres to fullback for the Dogs.

How he manages the five-eighth role for Samoa will prove an interesting precursor to any move he makes to fullback for Canterbury.

Dally M Centre of the Year Stephen Crichton will play five-eighth for Samoa. Picture: Michael Steele/Getty

It’s understood the Bulldogs coaching staff encouraged Crichton to take up the challenge, believing it will only aid his experience and development as a footballer.

Boasting size, power and footwork, it’s almost certain that Crichton will display a five-eighth style based around being a running threat, as opposed to an organiser.

The enormity of the moment won’t be lost on Crichton, who moves into the halves against the number one ranked team in the world, in Australia.

The decision by rookie Samoa coach Ben Gardiner to select Crichton at five-eighth is also born out of necessity due to the withdrawal of rookie Bulldogs half Karl Oloapu last weekend.

Eels half Daejarn Asi will start at halfback alongside Crichton, while Warriors NSW Cup playmaker Ronald Volkman has joined the Samoan squad as a further halves option.

Nine players will make their Test debuts for Samoa – Sualauvi Faalogo, Murray Taulagi, Stefano Utoikamanu, Gordon Chan Kum Tong, Connelly Lemuelu, Terrell May, Heilum Luki, Asi and Volkman.

Wests Tigers centre Tommy Talau has also been added to the Samoan squad with Broncos rising star Jesse Arthars withdrawn due to medical reasons.

SAMOA SUFFERS EARLY BLOW

Bulldogs rising star Karl Oloapu has pulled out of Samoa’s squad for the upcoming Pacific Championships.

The 18-year-old prodigy had been plagued by a neck injury for a large majority of the 2023 season and has opted to rest following the most taxing season of his fledgling career.

Oloapu made his NRL debut in 2023 before going onto play in seven matches for Canterbury.

Samoa coach Ben Gardiner will aim to name a replacement for Oloapu in his squad over the next 48-hours.

Samoa will play its first game of the Pacific Championships against Australia in Townsville next Saturday, before taking on New Zealand in Auckland the following week.

Rising Bulldogs star Karl Oloapu has been ruled out of the Samoa squad ahead of the Pacific Championship. Picture: NRL Photos

WORST FEARS CONFIRMED AS DRAGONS SUFFER PRE-SEASON INJURY BLOW

—David Riccio and Michael Carayannis

Dragons fullback Tyrell Sloan’s worst fears have been confirmed with the rising star undergoing surgery for a syndesmosis injury.

Sloan has been forced to undergo the knife on Friday after suffering the injury during the NSW Koori Knockout last weekend.

Tyrell Sloan is set for a disrupted pre-season, after requiring surgery on a syndesmosis injury. Picture: Getty Images.

Sloan is facing a recovery of up to 10-weeks, severely hampering his pre-season.

The 21-year-old is aiming to commence light running in early December.

Dragons coach Shane Flanagan had made no secret of his plan to provide Sloan the most important pre-season of his career by devising a personalised program focused on developing his mental and physical strength.