Mitch Moses and Tom Dearden headline Kangaroos debutantes for clash with Tonga

A new halves pairing and a new captain will roll out for the Kangaroos on Friday night against a Tongan outfit fearing no team.

A new era for the Kangaroos will begin in Friday’s opening Pacific Championships clash against Tonga with Mitch Moses and Tom Dearden set to make their test debuts as a halves pairing with Tom Trbojevic set for his first international since 2018.

Coach Mal Meninga will unleash six debutants at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane including premiership-winning Penrith fullback Dylan Edwards who takes over in the No.1 jersey from former captain James Tedesco who wasn’t picked in the squad.

Panthers co-captain, Isaah Yeo, has been given the captaincy and vowed to maintain the leadership style which has helped him steer Penrith to the past four NRL premierships as the new-look Kangaroos try to bounce back from last year’s 30-0 final drubbing from New Zealand.

“That was a big wake-up call for us and we know we need to be better,” Yeo said.

“The expectation when you put this jersey on is winning, but we know it won’t be easy.

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— Australian Kangaroos (@Kangaroos) October 10, 2024

“I keep myself accountable first and off the back of that you can hold others to account as well.

“That’s the way I have always led in clubland and also when I was lucky enough to vice-captain for NSW.

“I know a lot of the players, so the respect is already there, and I can lean on my experience in big games.“

The other first-time Kangaroos include Storm flyer Xavier Coates on the wing with Dally M winger of the year Zac Lomax as well as forwards Mitch Barnett (Warriors) and Hudson Young, who was called in to the squad when Clive Churchill medallist Liam Martin withdrew due to injury.

Meninga opted for for Matt Burton on bench at the expense of Ben Hunt, as cover Trbojevic,

“It was difficult, no doubt but Tommy (Trbojevic) hasn’t played for a bit, in the centres either, it was a bit precautionary around his shoulder,” Meninga said of his call.

“He’s (Trbojevic) having no problems at the moment, but we’re making sure that if anyone goes down ... we’ve got so much versatility in the squad (but) felt we needed outside back coverage.“

The Aussies will take on a power-packed Tongan side which captain Jason Taumalolo said feared no-one, including the Kangaroos.

“They’ve got a great team, but so do we and it’s what we do on Friday night that matters.

“Oppositions, not just Australia but the other nations, have definitely improved over the last few years, and it makes for a better game of footy.”

KANGAROOS

1 Dylan Edwards

2 Xavier Coates

3 Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow

4 Tom Trbojevic

5 Zac Lomax

6 Tom Dearden

7 Mitchell Moses

8 Patrick Carrigan

9 Harry Grant

10 Lindsay Collins

11 Angus Crichton

12 Cameron Murray

13 Isaah Yeo

Interchange

14 Matt Burton

15 Mitchell Barnett

16 Reuben Cotter

17 Hudson Young

Originally published as Mitch Moses and Tom Dearden headline Kangaroos debutantes for clash with Tonga