NRL 2024: Mitchell Moses, Zac Lomax and Mitch Barnett close in on Test debuts, Kiwi injury crisis could lead to Shaun Johnson coming out of retirement
Three victorious NSW Origin stars are in line for Test debuts, while Mal Meninga has a serious selection headache due to the form of a Maroons star in the back-end of the season. See the latest Test selection news.
Mitchell Moses, Zac Lomax and Mitch Barnett are closing in on their Test debuts as national selectors prepare to name a squad including the trio for the upcoming international series.
Newcastle superstar Kalyn Ponga is also on the cusp of playing his first Test match following a sublime second half of the NRL season.
Selectors, including ARL Commission chair Peter V’landys, met late last week to discuss a preliminary squad for the Pacific Championships, where the Kangaroos will meet New Zealand and Tonga.
Coach Mal Meninga has vowed to lean heavily on State Origin as a guide to naming his squad, and it is understood Barnett and Moses are both under serious consideration given the way they performed for the Blues.
Ponga has also catapulted into the conversation with his performances for the Knights over the closing weeks of the season and his form, along with Dylan Edwards’ efforts for Penrith and NSW, have no doubt given Meninga some serious headaches as he ponders the future of incumbent captain James Tedesco.
Tedesco was initially overlooked for Origin but was recalled when Edwards missed the opening game of the series. He was then dropped again as the Blues came from one game down to steal the shield.
However, Edwards’ availability for the Pacific Championships may be in doubt as he deals with a knee problem that he has carried through the closing weeks of the NRL season.
Ponga’s form has been irresistible but Meninga is unlikely to carry three fullbacks in his squad, meaning Tedesco’s position is at risk unless Edwards is unable to play.
It also means Brisbane sensation Reece Walsh will be overlooked when the squad is named.
Meninga also needs some clarity over first-choice halves pairing of Cameron Munster (hip) and Nathan Cleary (shoulder), with both in doubt for the championships.
That has brought the likes of Moses and Tom Dearden into the frame for Test selection.
Dearden is expected to be among a handful of Cowboys players in the extended squad although selectors will need to clarify the plans of Murray Taulagi and Jeremiah Nanai as they are both eligible for Samoa.
Samoan coach Ben Gardiner has been on the front foot in his pursuit of players – it is understood Payne Haas was also weighing up his allegiance before he underwent surgery that ruled him out of the championships.
Ponga has pulled on the green and gold before – he represented Australia in the Nines in 2019. However, last year’s Dally M medallist is yet to make his Test debut.
His Newcastle teammate Bradman Best may join him in the Australia squad depending on his recovery from the hamstring problems that interrupted his end to the season.
With Tom Trbojevic likely to undergo off-season surgery, Valentine Holmes under an injury cloud and Latrell Mitchell expected to be overlooked, the likes of Best, Kotoni Staggs and Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow are expected to come under consideration for centre spots.
Lomax and Xavier Coates are also likely to be included given their Origin form, although the latter will be contingent on whether he makes himself available for Australia or PNG.
JOHNSON COMEBACK SOS AMID KIWI CRISIS
A Kiwi injury crisis could prompt Shaun Johnson into producing one of rugby league’s most short-lived retirements.
New Zealand Test coach Stacey Jones has confirmed he will hold talks with the retired Warriors legend amid a half and hooker crisis that will impact his national team selection for the upcoming Pacific Championships.
Having been appointed Kiwis coach to replace Michael Maguire, Jones is facing a torrid start to his Test coaching career with half and hooker options including Dylan Brown (knee), Kieran Foran (ankle), Joey Manu (rugby union), Brandon Smith (knee) and Jeremy Marshall-King (knee) all unavailable for the tournament next month.
In a major career moment, Wellington-born Knights utility Phoenix Crossland has already been sent an SOS by Jones with the prospect of the 24-year-old making his New Zealand Test debut.
However, the most significant development will be whether Jones convinces Johnson, 34, to return to the field.
After 14-seasons in the NRL, Johnson bowed out of the game with a last-minute victory over the Sharks last month.
“To be able to finish like that is truly special,” Johnson said.
Jones confirmed to this masthead that Johnson is on his radar.
“With Dylan Brown, Brandon Smith, Jeremy Marshall-King and Kieran Foran needing surgery, we’re searching for options now,” Jones said.
“I’ve certainly entertained the idea of Shaun (coming out of retirement).
“He’s decided to retire and his last game was his last game, but has said to me that I can give him a call.
“I’ve only had brief conversations with Shaun, but in the next week or so, we’ll catch up.
“He said he’d keep himself training, so we’ll talk more in depth when the time comes.”
Providing Storm star Jahrome Hughes survives the current NRL finals series, he is a certainty for the Kiwis halfback jersey.
“We really need him to get through unscathed,” Jones said.
Jones added that he had no chance of convincing Manu to play for the Kiwis prior to switching codes to rugby union.
“Joey (being available) was one of the first things I tried to find out when I got the job,” Jones said.
“He made it clear, which I understand, that he’s committed to going to rugby.”
With Jones unlikely to consider dummy-half options including Nu Brown and Danny Levi, Crossland has emerged as a bolter.
“I’ve spoken to Phoenix and he’s pretty keen to wear the black and white jersey,” Jones said.
The Pacific Championships begins on October 18 at Suncorp Stadium.
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