Kangaroos Four Nations squad: Vote for the unluckiest omission

YOU could make a seriously competitive Four Nations side just out of players snubbed by Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga and his selectors.

YOU could make a seriously competitive Four Nations side just out of players snubbed by Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga and his selectors.

But who was the unluckiest omission?

Get the lowdown and vote in our poll.

Paul Gallen, Joseph Leilua, Anthony Milford and James Tedesco all missed out for the Kangaroos.

JOSEPH LEILUA AND JARROD CROKER

“They were discussed,” said Meninga. “I thought that Josh Dugan and Justin O’Neill, who had a fantastic Origin series this year, deserved their spots, but I talked to Joey and Jarrod... they could have possibly been right for the tour but in the end I went for the other players.” Yep, you read right — Croker and Leilua were fit, but considered not good enough. Both picked up injuries in Canberra’s final game and would have missed early training sessions, but were hopeful of being fit for the first Test in Perth on October 15. We could write a manifesto on why Justin O’Neill is incredibly lucky to score a spot over Leilua and Croker. But we’ll just let the stats speak for themselves.

Joseph Leilua

Dally M Centre of the Year

11 tries

9 try assists

115 tackle busts

80 offloads

13 linebreaks

3246 metres

30 missed tackles

Jarrod Croker on the attack.

Jarrod Croker

Dally M Captain of the Year

Dally M top point scorer

Dally M Provan-Summons Medal (fans choice award decided by public vote)

18 tries

7 try assists

64 tackle busts

21 offloads

20 linebreaks

2599 metres

28 missed tackles

Justin O’Neill

3 Origin games for Queensland

13 tries

2 try assists

45 tackle busts

6 offloads

11 linebreaks

2176 metres

33 missed tackles

JOSH MCGUIRE

Just five months ago, McGuire was considered in the best 17 players in Australia. Now he’s not in the top 24. Following a powerful Test debut, McGuire went on to play all three Origins and maintained strong form for the Broncos even during their mid-season slump. McGuire’s stats were typically strong this year — David Klemmer and Trent Merrin are the only Kangaroos forwards to have made more metres. Statistically, McGuire certainly outshone the man who has taken his spot — Shannon Boyd. McGuire made 3,416m this year compared to Boyd’s 2,332m.

Josh McGuire was a shock omission.

JAMES TEDESCO

NSW debutant, Dally M Fullback of the Year, future superstar — Tedesco ticks all the boxes. However, Darius Boyd was always going to be the first-choice fullback, while Matt Moylan was named ahead of Tedesco due to his ability to also play 6 and 14. “He (Tedesco) came very close, very close,” Meninga said. “When you sit around the table and try to pick 24 players you have to get the numbers and the balances right. We went with Boyd and Moylan and we think that that’s what’s right for the team.”

WADE GRAHAM

Graham had a powerhouse season, making his Origin debut and playing a crucial part in Cronulla’s maiden premiership. But competition for Kangaroos back row spots was fierce. Graham plays left edge, which is also the favourite position of Sam Thaiday, Josh Papalii and Boyd Cordner, while Tyson Frizell is also very comfortable there. But perhaps most crucially, Thaiday, Papalii, Cordner and Frizell are all able to play middle, while Graham plays exclusively on the edge for the Sharks.

JOSH JACKSON

The Canterbury back rower took home the Brad Fittler Medal as NSW’s best player in the 2016 Origin series. However, he was always going to have a tough time ousting Dally M Team of the Year member and Test incumbent Matt Gillett from the right fringe position. As with Graham, Jackson doesn’t have the added value of also being a noted middle player.

ANTHONY MILFORD

The Brisbane five-eighth was the best player in the competition over the opening 10 rounds, but fell off over Origin and couldn’t steer the Broncos past week two of the finals. Johnathan Thurston and Cooper Cronk were automatic selections in the halves, while Michael Morgan is the best bench man in the game and great injury cover in the halves and fullback. Ultimately though, Milford was left out due to the great form of James Maloney and Matt Moylan. Maloney was one of NSW’s best this year before leading the Sharks to the title. Moylan made his NSW debut and stormed home for the Panthers, notching 21 try assists in as many games.

Anthony Milford didn’t make the cut for the Kangaroos. Picture: Darren England

BRYCE CARTWRIGHT

As with Milford, Jackson and Graham, Cartwright faced serious competition to make the squad either as a back-rower or utility. The Penrith man was overlooked for his Origin debut earlier this season due to shortcomings in defence, which remain his greatest concerns going forward, but given the Panthers’ stirring finals run and Meninga’s eye to the future, it would not have been a surprise to see his name announced.

ANDREW FIFITA

In the words of NRL CEO Todd Greenberg: “In Andrew’s case, selection for the Australian team requires standards on and off the field and as he is currently under investigation by the Integrity Unit, we believe he still has some way to go to meet those off field standards.”

Off-field incidents cruelled Andrew Fifita. Picture: Gregg Porteous

SEMI RADRADRA

Greenberg: “In Semi’s case, while he has pleaded not guilty, he has charges to answer at the end of the tournament. We don’t want either him or the team to be distracted by this matter.” The double standard here is that Radradra played the PMs XIII game under the same coach only two weeks ago.

COREY PARKER

The retiring veteran was left out as Meninga builds to the future.

PAUL GALLEN

The premiership winner was also a victim of Meninga’s eye to the future. But unlike Parker, Gallen still has one year to go in the NRL after re-signing last month, although he has indicated he will retire from rep football.