Kalyn Ponga, Reece Walsh, Dylan Edwards snubbed in Kangaroos team for Pacific Championships

A raft of stars have been left out of Mal Meninga’s Kangaroos squad for the Pacific Championships, with one puzzling inclusion.

Kalyn Ponga of the Kangaroos offloads during the International Test match between the Australian Junior Kangaroos and France at WIN Stadium on October 25, 2019 in Wollongong, Australia. (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)

Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga has snubbed a raft of stars for the Kangaroos squad to take on the 2023 Pacific Championships, including newly minted Dally M Medallist Kalyn Ponga.

Star fullbacks Dylan Edwards and Reece Walsh were also left out in favour of incumbent James Tedesco, also named captain.

The Australian Rugby League Commission has named four debutants, being Selwyn Cobbo, Thomas Flegler and Kotoni Staggs from Brisbane, as well as Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow from the Dolphins.

Cameron Munster and Nathan Cleary both made the squad, having been part of the Kangaroos’ successful 2022 World Cup campaign.

Meninga was full of praise for the side, which will begin their campaign against Samoa in Townsville on October 14 before taking on New Zealand in Melbourne on October 28.

“The quality we saw in the regular season, the State of Origin series and the Finals Series means we have been able to put together an outstanding squad,” Meninga said.

“The squad has a healthy blend of representatives from last year’s World Cup, as well as others who have performed extremely well over the course of the season.”

Canterbury winger Josh Addo-Carr has been picked amid the fallout from an all-in brawl at the Koori Knockout, and is reportedly selected pending investigation.

“Hopefully, we’ll get statements from everyone today and the NRL will be in a position to advise the commission at a meeting tomorrow,” ARL Commission chairman Peter V’landys told the Sydney Morning Herald.

Latrell Mitchell (right) played for the Newcastle Yowies in the Koori Knockout but wasn’t available for Kangaroos selection. Pic: NITV and Fox League

Rabbitohs star Latrell Mitchell, despite playing the Koori Knockout, was ruled out by Souths owing to a finger injury.

Meninga inferred that Mitchell would have been picked if available for selection.

“South Sydney Rabbitohs said that he’s out because of injury, so we went with that,” Meninga told the Herald.

“I was a bit surprised [he played on the weekend]. The club gave him permission to do that. He loves the Koori Knockout ... he’s got through that tournament, went well, so looking forward to him having a good off-season and good season next year.”

Kangaroos squad for 2023 Pacific Championships

Josh Addo-Carr, Bulldogs

Patrick Carrigan, Broncos

Daly Cherry-Evans, Sea Eagles

Nathan Cleary, Panthers

Selwyn Cobbo, Broncos

Lindsay Collins, Roosters

Reuben Cotter, Cowboys

Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, Titans

Thomas Flegler, Broncos

Harry Grant, Storm

Payne Haas, Broncos

Valentine Holmes, Cowboys

Ben Hunt, Dragons

Liam Martin, Panthers

Cameron Munster, Storm

Cameron Murray, Rabbitohs

Kotoni Staggs, Broncos

Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, Dolphins

James Tedesco (captain), Roosters

Jake Trbojevic, Sea Eagles

Isaah Yeo, Panthers

More to come.