Penrith fullback Dylan Edward’s grand final heroics not enough to secure World Cup spot

Both the Clive Churchill Medal winner and the Dally M player of the year will be watching the World Cup from their couches.

Clive Churchill medallist Dylan Edwards’ NRL grand final heroics weren’t enough to elevate the star Penrith fullback into Australian coach Mal Meninga’s World Cup squad.

Instead Edwards, who was the clear best player on the field as the Panthers claimed a second consecutive premiership, was named a reserve, along with Dally M medallist Nicho Hynes.

Selectors named 13 debutants in the squad, which will depart for the UK on Thursday ahead of the World Cup beginning later in October.

Sydney Roosters fullback James Tedesco was named as captain, replacing former teammate Boyd Cordner, who was skipper for the Kangaroos’ last Test in 2019. Penrith’s Isaah Yeo and South Sydney forward Cameron Murray are his deputies.

James Tedesco will lead the Kangaroos. Picture: Albert Perez/Getty Images

Meninga said it was “difficult” to find a spot for Edwards, with Tedesco being the first-choice fullback and fellow squad members Latrell Mitchell, Cameron Munster, Valentine Holmes and Jack Wighton all capable of playing in the No.1 jersey.

“He has had an exceptional year. It is a difficult situation when you can only pick 24 players,” he said.

“Our best player was the fullback in James Tedesco. We had several conversations about this. Unfortunately, in this instance, Dylan misses out.

“He (Tedesco) is our premier player. I thought he was the outstanding candidate. It was a pretty easy one.”

Penrith halfback Nathan Cleary, one of three premiership winners in the squad, will vie with Manly skipper Daly Cherry-Evans for the starting role, with Storm star Harry Grant and St George Illawarra rake Ben Hunt vying to wear the No.9 jumper.

“It is a good question, but Daly is the incumbent as well, so he was there three years ago and had a really good season, particularly in Origin,” Meninga said of the half-back battle.

“Origin is considered the biggest series of the year, we will consider all options, that is what a tour is about.

“Everyone will have an opportunity to prove that they deserve to be at the back-end of the tour.

“All players will get an opportunity to play and put their hand up to play at the back-end of the tour when it does matter.”

The Australian Rugby League Commission has today confirmed 13 debutants in the squad to represent the Gallagher Kangaroos at the Rugby League World Cup 2021.

Read more: https://t.co/xCR8Z8VpLwpic.twitter.com/94rIgzO5T2

— Gallagher Australian Kangaroos (@Kangaroos) October 3, 2022

Three North Queensland players, including front-rower Reuben Cotter, were among the 13 new players named in the squad, and among four Cowboys, the biggest representation from any one team.

“We have an extremely healthy mix of incumbent players as well as a number of players who are yet to represent their country,” Meninga said.

“We will have players who have performed on this stage before. Many of these players have produced form when it counts in both State of Origin and also in the finals series.

“The balance of the squad is extremely strong and will hopefully produce the results we’re after over the duration of the tournament.”

The Kangaroos will kick off their World Cup campaign on October 15 against Fiji and play additional pool matches against Scotland and Italy.

Australian World Cup squad: Josh Addo-Carr, Matt Burton*, Reagan Campbell-Gillard, Patrick Carrigan*, Daly Cherry-Evans, Nathan Cleary*, Lindsay Collins*, Reuben Cotter*, Angus Crichton*, Tino Fa‘asuamaleaui*, Campbell Graham*, Harry Grant*, Valentine Holmes, Ben Hunt, Liam Martin*, Latrell Mitchell, Cameron Munster, Cameron Murray, Jeremiah Nanai*, Murray Taulagi*, James Tedesco (c), Jake Trbojevic, Jack Wighton, Isaah Yeo* (* Denotes Kangaroos debutant).

Standby players: Dylan Edwards, Nicho Hynes, Damien Cook.