Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga’s changing of the guard has continued, with veteran utility Ben Hunt not chosen to take the field against Tonga.
The Queensland Maroons’ hooker was tipped to relieve starting No.9 Harry Grant in Brisbane on Friday night, but his customary bench role will instead be taken by Bulldogs five-eighth Matt Burton, who won a premiership with Penrith and a State of Origin series at centre.
It means Meninga will demand an 80-minute performance from vice-captain Grant against Tonga, although interchange prop Reuben Cotter also came through the ranks as a young dummy-half before converting to the forwards.
Ben Hunt in action at Kangaroos training.Credit: NRL Photos
But Meninga said on Tuesday the decision to name Hunt as 18th man was less about his own form and more about Tom Trbojevic, who has been selected in the centres – a position he has played once since suffering a season-ending shoulder injury in last year’s Origin campaign.
The Manly fullback has been battling an AC joint setback leading into the Pacific Championships, which required him to play with pain-killing injections in the NRL finals, and it was initially expected he would miss the tournament to undergo surgery.
“It was difficult, there’s no doubt. We felt in hindsight Tommy hasn’t played for a bit, he hasn’t played in the centres, so it’s a bit precautionary I guess, around his shoulder,” Meninga said.
Matt Burton pictured at Kangaroos training.Credit: NRL Photos
“He’s having no problems at the moment, but we’re just making sure that if anybody goes down out wide … I just felt we needed an outside back coverage.
“I think we get the best out of Harry when he’s allowed to play long minutes, and as long as he possibly can. We feel that Harry’s got 80 minutes, and being vice-captain, we don’t want to hinder that.”
Burton will make his third international appearance alongside six Kangaroos debutants – wingers Xavier Coates and Zac Lomax, halves Tom Dearden and Mitchell Moses, and forwards Mitch Barnett and Hudson Young.
Dylan Edwards will also line up at fullback, as Meninga rubbished suggestions that Kalyn Ponga’s initial decision to withdraw himself from consideration – later retracted – drew the coach’s ire to the point that it cost him any chance of lining up.
“We had a really good conversation. We considered Kalyn a specialist fullback … and we feel Dylan Edwards is the best No.1 in the game.”
Mal Meninga on Kalyn Ponga
Despite the widespread changes to the side that suffered a historic 30-0 defeat against New Zealand in last year’s final, Tonga captain Jason Taumalolo dismissed suggestions Australia were vulnerable.
While the star lock appreciated a new-look halves pairing for the Kangaroos would offer a different challenge, he backed Tonga halfback and Dolphins star Isaiya Katoa to match his Origin-standard rivals.
“He’s built on that 2022 World Cup, and what he’s done at the Dolphins has been immense. Hopefully, he can bring that through to international level, and he’s got a big pack to lead around, so I’m sure he’ll do a good job,” Taumalolo said.
“They’ve got a few debutants in their team … [but] most of them have probably played at Origin before they’ve played international football, so they have a fair gist of how representative footy is, and how physical and fast it is too.”
Australia vs Tonga
Australia
1. Dylan Edwards 2. Xavier Coates; 3. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow; 4. Tom Trbojevic; 5. Zac Lomax; 6. Tom Dearden; 7. Mitchell Moses; 8. Pat Carrigan; 9. Harry Grant; 10. Lindsay Collins; 11. Angus Crichton; 12. Cameron Murray; 13. Isaah Yeo; 14. Matt Burton; 15. Mitch Barnett; 16. Reuben Cotter; 17. Hudson Young; 18. Ben Hunt; 19. Lindsay Smith; 20. Reece Robson; 21. Bradman Best
Tonga
1. Lehi Hopoate; 2. Daniel Tupou; 3. Mosese Suli; 4. Paul Alomoti; 5. Sione Katoa; 6. Tui Lolohea; 7. Isaiya Katoa; 8. Addin Fonua-Blake; 9. Siliva Havili; 10. Felise Kaufusi; 11. Haumole Olakau’atu; 12. Eli Katoa; 13. Jason Taumalolo; 14. Soni Luke; 15. Sitili Tupouniua; 16. Taniela Paseka; 17. Keaon Koloamatangi; 18. Tolutau Koula; 19. Siua Wong; 20. Isaiah Iongi; 21. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki
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