Kangaroos squad for Kiwis clash, Pacific Championships 2023, Australia, Mal Meninga, Nicho Hynes, Thomas Flegler

Gallagher Kangaroos squad named for Kiwis clash

Author: NRL Media Release
Timestamp: Tue 24 Oct 2023, 04:00 PM

Head Coach Mal Meninga has named two debutants for the Gallagher Kangaroos’ Pacific Championships match against New Zealand on Saturday, October 28.

Tom Flegler (Kangaroos number 850) and Nicho Hynes (851) will play their first match for the Kangaroos at Melbourne’s AAMI Park.

Their selection takes the total number of Kangaroos debutants in the Pacific Championships to six, after Dylan Edwards, Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, Kotoni Staggs and Selwyn Cobbo represented Australia for the first time in the 38-12 win over Samoa in Townsville.

Cobbo, Liam Martin, Payne Haas and Tino Fa'asuamaleaui won’t back up in the final 17 against the Kiwis, with Meninga backing the talent and depth of the Kangaroos’ 21-man squad.

Flegler and Jake Trbojevic will start in the front row against a formidable New Zealand forward pack, while Valentine Holmes returns to the international arena on the wing.

The versatile Hynes is the new face on the interchange bench, with Reuben Cotter moving into the starting side.

Meninga said it was a great chance for the new additions to put their best foot forward in the AAMI Park clash.

“They’re all great players who deserve the opportunity to represent their country,” Meninga said.

“It’s really important that our full squad gets exposure to the intensity of international football to build confidence and match fitness for the duration of the Pacific Championships.

“Having all players take the field over the course of the first two games means we will be much better placed to handle any of the unknowns, like the possibility of injury or suspension, heading into a final.

“Right at this point though, our full focus is on this Saturday. It’s a massive game for us against an in-form New Zealand team, and I’ve got a lot of confidence in the players who are coming into the side.”

Saturday’s match will mark a special milestone for Holmes and Daly Cherry-Evans, with the Queensland pair to play their 20th matches for the Kangaroos.

The Kangaroos have been preparing in the regional New South Wales city of Albury, with more than 1500 fans attending the squad’s first field session at the Lavington Sports Ground.

Week 3 - Week 3 - Saturday 28 Oct

Full Time

Kangaroos

Kiwis

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Kangaroos is number 1 James Tedesco

Fullback for Kiwis is number 1 Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad
Winger for Kangaroos is number 2 Dylan Edwards

Winger for Kiwis is number 2 Ronaldo Mulitalo
Centre for Kangaroos is number 3 Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow

Centre for Kiwis is number 3 Matthew Timoko
Centre for Kangaroos is number 4 Kotoni Staggs

Centre for Kiwis is number 4 Joseph Manu
Winger for Kangaroos is number 5 Valentine Holmes

Winger for Kiwis is number 5 Jamayne Isaako
Five-Eighth for Kangaroos is number 6 Cameron Munster

Five-Eighth for Kiwis is number 6 Dylan Brown
Halfback for Kangaroos is number 7 Daly Cherry-Evans

Halfback for Kiwis is number 7 Jahrome Hughes

Forwards

Prop for Kangaroos is number 8 Jake Trbojevic

Prop for Kiwis is number 8 James Fisher-Harris
Hooker for Kangaroos is number 9 Ben Hunt

Hooker for Kiwis is number 9 Kieran Foran
Prop for Kangaroos is number 10 Thomas Flegler

Prop for Kiwis is number 10 Moses Leota
2nd Row for Kangaroos is number 11 Cameron Murray

2nd Row for Kiwis is number 11 Isaiah Papali'i
2nd Row for Kangaroos is number 12 Reuben Cotter

2nd Row for Kiwis is number 12 Briton Nikora
Lock for Kangaroos is number 13 Isaah Yeo

Lock for Kiwis is number 13 Joseph Tapine

Interchange

Interchange for Kangaroos is number 14 Harry Grant

Interchange for Kiwis is number 14 Fa'amanu Brown
Interchange for Kangaroos is number 15 Lindsay Collins

Interchange for Kiwis is number 15 Nelson Asofa-Solomona
Interchange for Kangaroos is number 16 Patrick Carrigan

Interchange for Kiwis is number 16 Griffin Neame
Interchange for Kangaroos is number 17 Nicholas Hynes

Interchange for Kiwis is number 17 Leo Thompson