NRL champion players snubbed in Kangaroos bombshell

Mal Meninga has dropped bombs on three of the biggest stars in the game as the Kangaroos coach announced his squad.

Lindsay Smith is in. James Tedesco is out. Photo: NRL Photos.

Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga has dropped bombs on Daly Cherry-Evans, James Tedesco and Jake Trbojevic.

The Immortal announced his squad for the Pacific Championships on Monday and the Queensland captain, NSW captain and incumbent Kangaroos skipper were all missing from the list, which features eight debutants.

Meninga has also snubbed Kalyn Ponga — after the Knights star sparked outrage when he moved to make himself unavailable for national selection despite being fit enough to play.

Ponga was forced to backflip on his decision out of fear of punishment — and a potential suspension — but Meninga didn’t want him anyway.

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It’s been a very big 24 hours for Lindsay Smith. Credit NRL Photos.

If it’s the end, James Tedesco has had a sensational run. Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images.

The other notable bombshell is Panthers bench player Lindsay Smith being called into the squad as a shock bolter from out of nowhere.

Smith played just 46 minutes in the Panthers’ grand final triumph over the Storm on Sunday night — but he did enough to impress selectors.

Penrith co-captain Isaah Yeo has been nominated the new captain by Meninga, on the back of a brilliant grand final performance, NCA NewsWire reports.

Clive Churchill medallist and Panthers teammate Liam Martin has also been named.

Beaten Storm skipper Harry Grant is vice-captain and his teammate Xavier Coates are Melbourne’s two squad members.

Parramatta’s Mitch Moses, who missed the end of the season due to a ruptured bicep, has also been included, and he’ll likely form a halves pairing with Bulldogs No.6 Matt Burton or North Queensland’s Tom Dearden.

A host of injured stars, including Penrith captain Nathan Cleary and Melbourne Storm gun Cameron Munster, opened the door for Meninga to turn to some new faces, with Knights flyer Bradman Best also included.

Kalyn Ponga and Mal Meninga

While Jake Trbojevic was overlooked, brother Tom Trbojevic’s six-year wait for a Kangaroos re-call is over.

Tedesco’s omission comes despite finishing second in Dally M voting last week on the back of one of his best seasons.

His representative career now appears over.

“We saw some outstanding individual performances through the Finals Series as well as the Grand Final,” Meninga said.

“This group has experience in the green and gold and will be motivated to win.

“This is an important tournament for the Kangaroos. We will face some high-quality opposition in Tonga and New Zealand in what is the biggest international competition in the Pacific.”

Australia will open its campaign against Tonga on October 18, before facing New Zealand on October 27.

NRL supremo Peter V’landys praised leaders Yeo and Grant in a statement released by the league.

“These are the best of the best, and they will represent Australia with pride. Selection in this team is the ultimate achievement in our game,” ARLC Chairman V’landys said.

“There was strong competition for a number of positions and I am excited to see what this group of players can achieve in the green and gold.

“Isaah is the Premiership co-captain and was an excellent choice as the next Captain of the Kangaroos. I’d like to particularly thank James Tedesco for leading this team so successfully and wish Isaah the best as James set the highest standard.

“I’d also like to congratulate Harry Grant on being made Vice-Captain.”

Kangaroos squad for Pacific Championships: Mitch Barnett, Matt Burton, Bradman Best, Pat Carrigan, Xavier Coates, Lindsay Collins, Reuben Cotter, Angus Crichton, Tom Dearden, Dylan Edwards, Harry Grant, Ben Hunt, Zac Lomax, Liam Martin, Mitch Moses, Cameron Murray, Reece Robson, Lindsay Smith, Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, Tom Trbojevic and Isaah Yeo.