Connor Watson is putting pressure on Ben Hunt to be Harry Grant’s understudy in the Pacific Championships as another unheralded Roosters player looms as an emergency option for the injury-hit Kiwis.
Watson, who was part of NSW’s successful State of Origin team, has been included in Mal Meninga’s preliminary squad as he threatens to win a first Kangaroos call-up and end Hunt’s decorated Test career.
A Test debut would cap a career year for Watson, who returned from a serious knee injury in 2023 and started this campaign in the NSW Cup.
But having taken over first-choice hooking duties at the Roosters due to the ACL tear to Brandon Smith, Watson has impressed Meninga to the point where he’s in line for green and gold honours, particularly if he can lead the Roosters to a grand final appearance by toppling Grant’s Storm on Friday night.
North Queensland’s Reece Robson is also expected to be included in an extended squad as Meninga weighs up his options for an interchange utility following Hunt’s Dragons missing the finals.
Meninga’s biggest call will come at fullback with skipper James Tedesco, Kalyn Ponga and Dylan Edwards all likely to be included in a draft squad, which could also feature Tom Dearden, Bradman Best and Hudson Young.
Connor Watson.Credit: Getty Images
Meninga will trim the extended squad to a travelling party for matches against New Zealand and Tonga after the grand final.
Watson is not the only Rooster pressing for a surprise international debut with journeyman clubmate Zach Dockar-Clay, who has played just 20 NRL matches, looming as a left-field choice for New Zealand coach Stacey Jones.
Halves Dylan Brown and Kieran Foran won’t play for the Kiwis due to injuries, leaving Jones trying to tempt Shaun Johnson out of his short-lived retirement and Newcastle’s Phoenix Crossland and Dockar-Clay as No.9 options.
Dockar-Clay, 29, was 18th man for the Roosters in their semi-final triumph over the Sea Eagles on Saturday night and has chalked up six games for the tricolours this year. He only made his NRL debut for the Bulldogs in 2022.
Meanwhile, Manly’s Lehi Hopoate could be the latest from his illustrious family to represent Tonga, with the Pacific nation set to include the teenage star in their squad for the Pacific Championships.
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