Six Melbourne players picked in Kangaroos team that won’t play a game

There’s been no Test match rugby league in 2020, but selectors still picked a Kangaroos merit team with a bunch of new faces

Premiership winning teammates Cameron Munster, Ryan Papenhuyzen and Josh Addo-Carr were all named in the Kangaroos merit team Picture: Brett Costello

Melbourne Storm players dominate the Australian team which won’t play a game after the Australian Rugby League Commission announced a Kangaroos merit team on Monday.

There were six players from the premiership-winning Storm outfit, including rising stars Ryan Papenhuyzen and Tino Fa’asuamaleaui.

Sydney Roosters skipper Boyd Cordner was named captain of the team which was robbed of the chance to play any Test matches in 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The team, selected by the Australian selection panel and the ARLC, was chosen on the back of the first post-season State of Origin series, won by Queensland.

The 17-man team includes Wally Lewis Medal winner Cameron Munster and Dally M Medallist Jack Wighton.

Storm fullback Papenhuyzen, this year’s Clive Churchill medal winner for best on ground in Melbourne’s grand final win, was named despite missing out on an Origin debut for NSW.

Fa’asuamaleaui was named along with Broncos forward Payne Haas, a month after the pair went toe-to-toe in a punching match during the second State of Origin clash.

Tino Fa'asuamaleaui and Payne Haas clash during State of Origin. Both were named in the Kangaroos merit team. Picture: Mark Kolbe/Getty Images

Penrith halfback Nathan Cleary unseated Test incumbent Daly Cherry-Evans for the No 7 jersey, while Rabbitohs star Cameron Murray got the jump on Manly‘s Jake Trbojevic for the lock spot

Roosters winger Daniel Tupou, who played his lone Test in 2014, also launched into the team after a superb season for his club and NSW.

The Mal Meninga-coached Kangaroos have played just four tests since winning the 2017 World Cup final.

There could be a Test against New Zealand in July next year, with those picked in the merit team also the frontrunners for inclusion in the squad for next year‘s World Cup in the UK.

Melbourne @Storm have been rewarded for their premiership-winning season with six players named in the Gallagher @Kangaroos Merit Team.https://t.co/0IqaHL5qJU

— NRL (@NRL) December 14, 2020

ARLC chairman Peter V’landys said the team included players who would be part of the Kangaroos for years to come and would get a chance to represent their country.

“There is no greater honour in rugby league than representing your country,” V’landys said.

“And while the pandemic has stopped the Gallagher Kangaroos from playing this year, it is still incredibly important for the commission to acknowledge the best 17 from the Origin series.

“This merit team includes some of the most exciting young players in the competition who I’m sure will be part of the Gallagher Kangaroos program for many years. “

“I also want to acknowledge the sacrifices of these 17 players who went from a club bubble to a State of Origin bubble.

“They sacrificed more than anyone in our game to ensure we completed an entire schedule. I want to say thank you for those sacrifices.”

The 2020 Kangaroos merit team:

James Tedesco

Josh Addo-Carr

Dane Gagai

Jack Wighton

Daniel Tupou

Cameron Munster

Nathan Cleary

Josh Papalii

Damien Cook

Christian Welch

Boyd Cordner (Captain)

Felise Kaufusi

Cameron Murray

Ryan Papenhuyzen

Payne Haas

Angus Crichton

Tino Fa’asuamaleaui