Meninga calls rookie trio into Kangaroos squad to face Tonga
South Sydney star Cameron Murray will earn a Test debut against Tonga as one of three rookies called into the Australian squad by coach Mal Meninga.
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Clint Gutherson and Victor Radley have been rushed into the Kangaroos squad as coach Mal Meninga plans to hand Cameron Murray his first Test jersey.
Meninga has added Gutherson and Radley to the Australian team to tour New Zealand ahead of their clash with Tonga on Saturday, taking their squad to 20.
While neither are expected to be named in Australia’s 17-man team for the Test, they are there to act as cover should any training mishaps happen during the week.
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Radley’s elevation comes after winning man-of-the-match honours in the Junior Kangaroos’ 62-4 demolition of France last Friday and Gutherson was part of Australia’s successful World Cup Nines team.
“It’s more about getting those guys experience,” Meninga said. “Gutho (Gutherson) can play anywhere in the backline so we have that covered if we lost one during the week. The same goes with Victor and the forwards.”
Their cover comes after the Kangaroos did not replace Luke Keary, who was ruled out of the original squad with an ankle injury.
Boom Broncos back-rower David Fifita was expected to be added but was unavailable after a stray boot fractured his eye socket during the Junior Kangaroos win against France.
While it will take an injury for Gutherson or Radley to force their way into the Test team, Meninga is keen to give South Sydney lock Cam Murray his Test debut.
Murray was 18th man for Australia on Friday night but Meninga wants to give him his start against Tonga.
“He will be on the bench,” Meninga said. “It’s just what we do around it. I’m not quite sure at this stage. I’ll look have another look at our game. I would love to give him a game. If we do that then who misses out?
“He is chomping at bit to get his debut. I’ll talk to our senior players and our assistant coaches. I’ll watch Tonga play (against Great Britain) and then have a better idea of what we need to do to beat them.”
The Kangaroos came through the match largely unscathed. Jack Wighton (eye) was the only concern but he is expected to play against Tonga.
KANGAROOS SQUAD:
Josh Addo-Carr
Daly Cherry-Evans
Damien Cook
Boyd Cordner
Nick Cotric
Tyson Frizell
Wade Graham
Clint Gutherson
Payne Haas
Ben Hunt
David Klemmer
Latrell Mitchell
Cameron Munster
Cameron Murray
Josh Papalii
Victor Radley
James Tedesco
Jake Trbojevic
Paul Vaughan
Jack Wighton