NRL 2024: Sharks players snubbed for Kangaroos, bolter Jacob Kiraz suffers injury blow

Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga has named the preliminary extended squad for the Pacific Championships and some big names have failed to make the cut.

Mal Meninga has some tough calls to make as he trims Kangaroos squad.

Jacob Kiraz’s hopes of an Australian debut have been shattered by a back injury which has ruled him out of the Kangaroos’ extended squad for the Pacific Championships campaign.

Kiraz was rewarded for a stellar season with Canterbury and was on the brink of playing for Australia.

Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga said it was a blow for Kiraz but his time would come.

“Unfortunately he has been ruled out because of injury that is season ending,” Meninga said on the SEN show he co-hosts with Jimmy Smith. “He is the metre-eater. He leads run metres for the competition. Defensively he is outstanding and good under high balls. He has all the attributes to put a green and gold jumper on.”

Jacob Kiraz was on the verge of a Kangaroos debut before injury struck. Picture: Getty Images

The setback comes after Sport Confidential revealed that 31 players were told they were in the mix to take part in the end-of-season tournament.

Clubs were notified of their players’ potential selection this week with that squad to be trimmed ahead of Australia’s first Test match against Tonga on October 18. Players will also make-up the PM’s XIII squad to take on PNG a week earlier but a large chunk of Australia’s squad won’t play in that warm-up match as it takes place just five days before the tournament starts.

Cronulla may be one win away from making the grand final but as it stands they do not have a player in Kangaroos calculations. Cronulla, Gold Coast and Wests Tigers don’t have a player in the preliminary squad.

Nicho Hynes made his Test debut in the corresponding tournament last year.

Given nothing is official, players could still be drafted into the squad which has the likes of Nathan Cleary, Jeremiah Nanai and Cameron Munster who are set to miss the tournament because of injuries. Tom Trbojevic could make himself available after avoiding surgery to repair his damaged knee and shoulder.

“He loves the environment,” Meninga said. “I am very happy to have him in the squad.”

Connor Watson is pushing Ben Hunt for a bench spot while Xavier Coates, Zac Lomax, Tom Dearden, Mitch Barnett and Mitch Moses are also potential Kangaroos first-timers.

Meninga said they would carry just three halves in the squad with Moses expected to be fit.

“I know he is training really well,” Meninga said. “He will be available and fit enough to play

The Kangaroos carried just 21 players for the corresponding tournament last year meaning the preliminary squad will need to be trimmed.

Some of that will happen naturally with Kalyn Ponga ruling himself out and the likes of Cleary, Munster and Nanai struggling with injuries.

Cronulla aside, the remaining clubs in the premiership have a large representation with Penrith and the Roosters (four each) and Melbourne (three).