Kangaroos selection and team news: Nathan Cleary revealed, Broncos duo set for debut

Nathan Cleary’s grand final heroics have been enhanced further after suffering an early injury in the decider - but it could keep him out of the Kangaroos side. SEE THE FULL SQUAD

Penrith superstar Nathan Cleary is in doubt for Australia’s end of season tour after a hip-drop tackle by would-be Kangaroos teammate Payne Haas.

Cleary’s grand final heroics have been enhanced further after it can be revealed that he played 70 minutes of the premiership decider with a knee injury. Haas was fined for the 10th minute hip drop tackle on Cleary which left the Panthers no.7 hampered. He was seen limping during Penrith’s celebrations on Thursday.

He will be sent for scans this week to determine his place in the Australian side. However, Kangaroos officials believe Cleary is in severe doubt.

Daly Cherry-Evans is in the squad with Cameron Munster and Ben Hunt.

If he does drop out it could open the door for Kalyn Ponga to be capitulated into the extended squad after being a surprise exclusion in the 21-man squad.

Meanwhile, Penrith star Dylan Edwards has again been overlooked for a representative jumper after missing out on selection for the Kangaroos in the upcoming Pacific Championships.

North Queensland centre Valentine Holmes and Canterbury winger Josh Addo-Carr have been picked despite both being the subject of separate incidents investigated by the NRL.

Nathan Cleary is in doubt for the Kangaroos games after suffering a knee injury in the #NRLGF (via @MCarayannis). Happened in the 10th minute - scans to come to determine nature/severity but limited video brings concern for MCL sprain w hip drop tackle causing knee to collapse in pic.twitter.com/siHEixpv47

— NRL PHYSIO (@nrlphysio) October 3, 2023

The hip-drop in question.

Edwards’ club teammates Nathan Cleary, Isaah Yeo and Liam Martin will be in the 20-man squad, as will St George Illawarra captain Ben Hunt.

Cowboys forward Reuben Cotter is also in, while winger Murray Tualagi is a surprise omission.

Brisbane duo Kotoni Staggs and Selwyn Cobbo are in line to make their Kangaroos debut after being picked in the squad. Payne Haas is also set for a Test return while Pat Carrigan is also in the squad as expected

Dylan Edwards has missed out on Kangaroos selection. Picture: Adam Head

The immediate international future of Holmes and Addo-Carr was cast into doubt when they were involved in separate incidents off the field that became the subject of NRL investigations.

Holmes was pictured with a white bag in his mouth and it is understood the NRL has finalised his sanctions with a one-match ban expected to be confirmed in coming days.

It means Holmes will be forced to serve any ban in the international arena, ruling him out of the Kangaroos opening game if he is selected.

Brisbane outside backs Kotoni Staggs and Selwyn Cobbo have made the Kangaroos squad. Picture: NRL PHOTOS

Addo-Carr was involved in a brawl at the Koori Knockout tournament at the weekend which became the subject of a police investigation.

Police media on Monday confirmed no charges had been laid but the incident had been referred to the NSW Rugby League and event organisers. The NRL has also taken an interest and is in the process of conducting their own inquiries.

Addo-Carr was one of the stars of the tournament at last year’s World Cup and Meninga has indicated that he plans to stay loyal to as many players from that squad as reasonably possible, strengthening Addo-Carr’s hold on his Kangaroos jersey.

Valentine Holmes is eligible to play for the Kangaroos. Picture: Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images

Josh Addo-Carr can play for the Kangaroos despite his punch in the Koori knockout. Picture: Jenny Evans/Getty Images

Meanwhile, Meninga was reluctant to be drawn into talk over Latrell Mitchell’s decision to play in the Koori Knockout tournament, having been withdrawn from the Kangaroos squad by South Sydney.

The Rabbitohs informed Kangaroos medical staff that Mitchell would be unavailable due to a finger injury. However, he then made a shock appearance at the Koori Knockout, prompting suggestions he had picked that tournament over playing for Australia.

This masthead understands that Meninga has no problem with Mitchell, but does have an issue with Souths given they were responsible for withdrawing their superstar fullback.

The other issue at play is Mitchell’s impending court appearance with future teammate Jack Wighton after the pair were charged by police over an incident earlier in the year.

Mitchell is fighting some of the charges and is set to face court later in the month, when the international tournament would have been in full swing.

Originally published as Kangaroos selection and team news: Nathan Cleary revealed, Broncos duo set for debut