Mal Meninga has some crunch calls to make ahead of naming his World Cup squad and the Kangaroos coach says auditions for several spots starts this weekend.
Meninga told foxsports.com.au he’ll pick the majority of his squad based on performances in finals, and State of Origin.
The veteran coach has his eyes on several bolters, while history could keep incumbent halfback Daly Cherry-Evans in the No. 7 jersey ahead of Nathan Cleary.
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Australia hasn’t played in almost three years due to the Covid-19 pandemic and they’ve contested just four matches – losing two – since winning the 2017 World Cup.
That means there’ll likely be a host of new faces in the 24-man squad to be announced after the grand final, but the incumbents won’t be giving up their spot without a fight.
This year’s World Cup in England kicks off on October 15 with the final to be played in Manchester on November 19.
Foxsports.com.au spoke to Mal Meninga ahead of the finals series to gauge what the Kangaroos coach is looking for in his World Cup squad.
THE SELECTION CRITERIA
There are no second chances at the business end of World Cups which means Australia needs to pick proven performers who can withstand knockout pressure.
Whether it’s Ben Hunt’s game-breaking play in an Origin decider or Nathan Cleary’s sideline conversion to win an elimination final – Meninga wants to know you can deliver when it matters.
“The finals will have an impact on selections, and Origin will have an impact,” Meninga told foxsports.com.au.
“Not so much the regular season, I just feel in finals I can make some judgments on big-time players and how they handle the big games, which is exciting.
“You’ll find out the best of people in big games – when you need to win – so we’ll get a better idea on players worth through the finals series.”
Meninga also warned players must show maturity on and off the field to prove they can handle the rigours of a six-week tournament on the other side of the world.
“International footy is a little bit different, it’s a tough arena to perform in and we’re travelling away from home,” he said.
“A lot of the players that will be selected haven’t done that because of the pandemic, we haven’t played the international game for a long time and a lot of the players haven’t toured, done a long tour in a foreign country and been away from home.
“The 2017 World Cup was at home, so it’s all these environmental things that come into consideration as well because we talk about who can handle it and resilience is really important.”
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WHO WILL GET HOOKED?
The biggest headache Australia’s selectors face is which hookers to take, as four doesn’t fit into two.
Meninga revealed he wants two “specialist hookers” in the squad and the choice is between Harry Grant, Damien Cook, Api Koroisau and Reece Robson.
Dragons halfback Ben Hunt dominated at hooker for the Maroons this year but is expected to be picked as a utility.
Koroisau is yet to declare his international allegiance but was named in Fiji’s 32-man squad this week and could wait until the Kangaroos squad is announced.
Queensland gun Grant and New South Wales veteran Cook have been the Origin incumbents in recent years, while Robson is enjoying a breakout season at the resurgent Cowboys.
“It’s a good headache to have, I’m excited by the prospect. I feel we need two specialist hookers to take on a tour of this length, so there’s two spots up for grabs,” Meninga said.
“I’ve got some things I like to see in a No. 9 and I’ve spoken to selectors and they’re in agreement, so we’ll see how it pans out over the next month.”
THE BOLTERS
There are several players enjoying breakout seasons across the NRL and it could earn a select few an Australian jersey.
Star backrowers Hudson Young and Shaun Lane have enjoyed outstandings campaigns for the Raiders and Eels respectively.
Meninga confirmed both are on his radar, but only one is expected to make the cut.
“Absolutely they are,” Meninga said.
“The backend of the year could be a clincher for a player that we’re considering – if you can handle the pressures of a finals series.
“It’s a really good indication if a player can handle international footy.”
Prop Matt Lodge has come out of nowhere to put himself in the selection frame after walking out on the Warriors and debut for the Roosters in Round 18.
“Matty Lodge is having a really good backend to the year in a successful Roosters side so he had to come into consideration,” Meninga said.
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Another Roosters star who is knocking down the door is 19-year-old Joseph Suaalii, with the winger making a serious case to be picked.
Suaalii’s solid defence and grunt work out of yardage – which complements his stellar finishing ability – is going to be hard to ignore.
The Roosters flyer will be fighting for a spot against Broncos winger Selwyn Cobbo who enjoyed a breakout season and made his Maroons debut, but isn’t playing finals.
Another Queensland teen sensation Meninga will be watching closely is Jeremiah Nanai, who has proved a revelation at the Cowboys this season and played in all three games for the Maroons.
Meanwhile, fullbacks Tom Trbojevic, Ryan Papenhuyzen and Kalyn Ponga will miss the tournament which could open the door for Clint Gutherson or Dylan Edwards.
THE PROBLEM THAT ISN’T A PROBLEM
Veteran rugby league scribe Phil Rothfield declared last month Australia was facing a prop shortage due to Josh Papalii and Junior Paulo electing to represent Samoa.
But Meninga rejected that assessment and said he still has plenty of front-row talent to choose from next month.
Broncos star Payne Haas will be an automatic selection, and for the remaining spots Meninga threw out several names.
“I talked to Buzz about this and I don’t think we are short in the front row,” Meninga said.
“Payne Haass, Tino, Reagan Campbell-Gillard, Lindsay Collins, Matt Lodge, all these guys that played Origin will come into consideration as well, Jai Arrow is another one.
“I think we’ve got really good depth in our front row, Jordan McLean is another one, there’s a whole heap of guys that will come into contention.”
THE OLD BOYS
They might be well and truly on the wrong side of 30 and playing in poor club sides, but you can bet your bottom dollar Daly Cherry-Evans and Ben Hunt will be in the squad.
Manly are in turmoil amid reports players want Cherry-Evans overthrown as captain for Jake Trbojevic after the club lost their final seven games to finish a disappointing 11th on the ladder.
But we’re still only a few months removed from Cherry-Evans captaining the Maroons to a stunning series win.
Meninga said Manly’s woes won’t necessarily hurt his chances of retaining the No. 7 jersey ahead of Nathan Cleary.
Cherry-Evans, 33, has represented Australia 15 times since making his debut in 2011 and played at the 2013 World Cup in Great Britain.
“I’m taking him and Cleary, I’ve got to take two sevens,” Meninga said.
“DCE went in 2013, he was at the World Cup way back then so I’ve got no doubt he can handle the pressures of a World Cup in England because he’s done it before.”
Hunt was leading the Dally M Medal count when it went behind closed doors in Round 12 and was easily the Dragons best player this season.
The 32-year-old was also instrumental in Queensland’s thrilling upset of New South Wales in the Origin series decider.
“Benny Hunt has been terrific all year, he’s going to be up there for the Dally M and he won’t be playing finals but his form through Origin was unbelievably good,” Meninga said.
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THE TOUGH CALLS
There’s always jubilation and tribulation when a Kangaroos squad is announced and someone – or several players – are downright unlucky to miss out.
Josh Addo-Carr was a controversial omission from the Blues this season following his move from the Storm to the Bulldogs.
But Meninga rates the fan favourite who has featured twice for Australia and is determined to play representative football again.
“He’s an incumbent and the Dogs haven’t had the best season but his enthusiasm and the way he plays the game is handy – and he’s trying his butt off,” Meninga said.
“I know that he’s working hard on his leadership skills as well so that’s a bonus.”
The Broncos poor end to the season could cost Origin stars Kurt Capewell and Kotoni Staggs a potential ticket to England. But their teammate Patrick Carrigan should be on the plane after being named the player of the series in Origin.
Dane Gagai is on the wrong side of 30 and his spot could be taken by Canterbury playmaker Matt Burton who enjoyed a stellar Blues debut this season.
Eels prop Reagan Campbell-Gillard was axed from the Blues after the series opener amid reports he’d fallen out with Penrith players in the squad.
Meninga confirmed he’ll initially pick a wider squad before narrowing it down to the 24 players he’ll take to England.
“We’ll pick a train-on squad and all those players that deserve an opportunity to play for the Kangaroos will be there,” Meninga said.
“We’ve got a PM’s game coming up prior to that too which will be an indicator and give us some match fitness.
“It’ll also give us an indicator of who they are and how they treat the green and gold jersey.”
PREDICTED KANGAROOS SQUAD:
1. James Tedesco ©
2. Josh Addo-Carr
3. Valentine Holmes
4. Latrell Mitchell
5. Joseph Suaalii
5. Cameron Munster
7. Nathan Cleary
8. Payne Haas
9. Ben Hunt
10. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui
11. Liam Martin
12. Cameron Murray
13. Isaah Yeo
14. Harry Grant
15. Patrick Carrigan
16. Jake Trbojevic
17. Hudson Young
18. Daly Cherry-Evans
19. Angus Crichton
20. Lindsay Collins
21. Matt Lodge
22. Damien Cook
23. Jack Wighton
24. Matt Burton
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Notable omissions:
Dane Gagai
Kurt Capewell
Api Koroisau
Jai Arrow
Reece Robson
Reagan Campbell-Gillard
Campbell Graham
Jeremiah Nanai
Stephen Crichton
Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow
Xavier Coates
Reuben Cotter
Shaun Lane
Selwyn Cobbo
Clint Gutherson
Dylan Edwards
Jordan McLean
Siasifa Talakai
