Pacific Championships 2024

[MRN]

Yeo new Kangaroos captain.

Jurbo, Cherry-Evans, Tedesco all gone. Ponga over looked after all the raaa raaa.

Yeo named captain, Moses halfback in new-look 'Roos

Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga has named eight debutants in his squad for the Pacific Championships as Australia look to bounce back from a 30-0 loss to New Zealand in last year's final in Hamilton.

www.nrl.com

 

[jim_57]

Sure..tbf though they're both born in Australia.. it's not like they're ring ins.

On the other side of it Nanai, Taulagi, Sua, Fotuaika, Kaufusi, Leniu, Paulo & Utoikamanu were all born in NZ, just from squads the last 2 years.

I think we can assume at least a few of those would have opted for the Kiwis if Origin didn’t exist or they could play both like they can for the Islands.

 

[Perth Red]

Dearden and Moses as halfback partnership? How the mighty Kangaroos have fallen!

 

[MRN]

Dearden and Moses as halfback partnership? How the mighty Kangaroos have fallen!

Cleary and Munster ruled out through injury. With Cherry-Evans being dropped I'm not sure what other options we have. Hynes playing with zero confidence, Reynolds held together by scotch tape. Keary on his way to Super League so unlikely he gets picked as he wouldn't be eligible while over there. Even outside chance Sam Walker is injured. I think that combination is our best healthy and available option, with Burton as cover. Can only play with the hand you're dealt.

 

[mave]

Turbo?
Seriously, he needs an extended break from anything more strenuous than mowing the lawn.

 

[MKCS]

Aussie side looking the weakest it has in quite some time. Top 17 possibly looking like?

1. Edwards 2. Coates 3. Fidow 4. Trbojevic 5. Lomax 6. Dearden 7. Moses 8. Cotter 9. Grant 10. Collins 11. Crichton 12. Martin 13. Yeo (C)

14. Hunt 15. L. Smith 16. Barnett 17. Carrigan

 

[MKCS]

Cleary and Munster ruled out through injury. With Cherry-Evans being dropped I'm not sure what other options we have. Hynes playing with zero confidence, Reynolds held together by scotch tape. Keary on his way to Super League so unlikely he gets picked as he wouldn't be eligible while over there. Even outside chance Sam Walker is injured. I think that combination is our best healthy and available option, with Burton as cover. Can only play with the hand you're dealt.

The cause for concern is that Cleary and Munster should be wanting to play these games for Australia even if banged up and nursing minor injuries. From a marketability aspect the people have been promised the best of Australian rugby league playing in this tournament but there isn't a lot of star power or the games best taking part in the team. Munster and Cleary are both superstars but want to rest after the NRL season, Latrell isn't here, Ponga didn't want to play, Walsh isn't in the side, mix in the top tier players from island nations wanting to play for their respective countries and the Australian side seems a bit lacklustre.

You're right in what you say though, I probably would've gone Dearden/Cherry-Evans simply because I don't see Moses being a long term option for the Australian national team and DCE has longevity, experience and deserves a send off but it is a sad state of affairs that Dearden/Moses is our best halves combo, especially since Moses spent most of 2024 on the sidelines.

 

[Perth Red]

Cleary and Munster ruled out through injury. With Cherry-Evans being dropped I'm not sure what other options we have. Hynes playing with zero confidence, Reynolds held together by scotch tape. Keary on his way to Super League so unlikely he gets picked as he wouldn't be eligible while over there. Even outside chance Sam Walker is injured. I think that combination is our best healthy and available option, with Burton as cover. Can only play with the hand you're dealt.

They used to say Kangaroos could field three sides and still win. Aussie pack grateful NAS is suspended!

 

[taste2taste]

Aussie side looking the weakest it has in quite some time. Top 17 possibly looking like?

1. Edwards 2. Coates 3. Fidow 4. Trbojevic 5. Lomax 6. Dearden 7. Moses 8. Cotter 9. Grant 10. Collins 11. Crichton 12. Martin 13. Yeo (C)

14. Hunt 15. L. Smith 16. Barnett 17. Carrigan

NZ and Tonga will be shaking in thier boots looking at that Kangaroos pack.

 

[Clarkent]

Kiwis and Tonga have no excuses man this is their best chance of beating the kangaroos this year

 

[Mother Nature's Son]

Kiwis and Tonga have no excuses man this is their best chance of beating the kangaroos this year

Mate, have you seen the outs in the Kiwi side.
I reckon it could be Tonga`s big chance if everyone eligible makes themselves available.

 

[baggygreen man]

Kangaroos squad for Pacific Championships

Mitch Barnett (Warriors) ?

Matt Burton (Bulldogs) YES

Bradman Best (Knights) YES

Pat Carrigan (Broncos) YES

Xavier Coates (Storm) YES

Lindsay Collins (Roosters) YES

Reuben Cotter (Cowboys) ?

Angus Crichton (Roosters) ?

Tom Dearden (Cowboys) YES

Dylan Edwards (Panthers) YES

Harry Grant (Storm) – vice captain YES

Ben Hunt (Dragons) BOO

Zac Lomax (Dragons) YES

Liam Martin (Panthers)?

Mitch Moses (Eels) YES

Cameron Murray (Rabbitohs) YES

Reece Robson (Cowboys) YES

Lindsay Smith (Panthers) YES

Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow (Dolphins)

Tom Trbojevic (Sea Eagles) YES

Isaah Yeo (Panthers) – captain ?

I like the new halves combo of Moses/ Dearden. Will Burton play the utility role?

 

[Scootsie]

No DCE - probably because he’s reaching the end of his career etc.
But then……….Ben Hunt.

 

[Clarkent]

Mate, have you seen the outs in the Kiwi side.
I reckon it could be Tonga`s big chance if everyone eligible makes themselves available.

I have but the Kiwis forwards are still strong compared to the aussies

 

[Clarkent]

No DCE - probably because he’s reaching the end of his career etc.
But then……….Ben Hunt.

I think Ben Hunts versatility saved him

 

[Scootsie]

I think Ben Hunts versatility saved him

Fair point, but Connor Watson wouldve been a better option IMO, particularly if they’re going for new blood.

 

[Mother Nature's Son]

I have but the Kiwis forwards are still strong compared to the aussies

Most definitely mate, in fact that`s my big hope for them hopefully steamrolling the Aussies.
I posted earlier that Fisher-Harris said the OZ/NZ game was their SOO, if they play like it, they gotta to be a very good chance of getting up.

 

[Chins get the wins]

The cause for concern is that Cleary and Munster should be wanting to play these games for Australia even if banged up and nursing minor injuries. From a marketability aspect the people have been promised the best of Australian rugby league playing in this tournament but there isn't a lot of star power or the games best taking part in the team. Munster and Cleary are both superstars but want to rest after the NRL season, Latrell isn't here, Ponga didn't want to play, Walsh isn't in the side, mix in the top tier players from island nations wanting to play for their respective countries and the Australian side seems a bit lacklustre.

You're right in what you say though, I probably would've gone Dearden/Cherry-Evans simply because I don't see Moses being a long term option for the Australian national team and DCE has longevity, experience and deserves a send off but it is a sad state of affairs that Dearden/Moses is our best halves combo, especially since Moses spent most of 2024 on the sidelines.

Minor injuries? Cleary is f**ked

 

[taste2taste]

Mate, have you seen the outs in the Kiwi side.
I reckon it could be Tonga`s big chance if everyone eligible makes themselves available.

Yeah, it's really starting to look like a NZ B team, same with the Aussies. I rekon this tournament will always have a mass withdraws due to injury, the NRL season is ridiculously too long.

I was really looking forward to this tournament but it's starting to lose its appeal. Going to be a hard sell to get crowds and TV viewership.

If Tonga are ever going to win they'll never have a better chance.

 

[Clarkent]

Fair point, but Connor Watson wouldve been a better option IMO, particularly if they’re going for new blood.

I think Mals worried about the halfback spot in case Moses ain't up to it