The Australian Rugby League Commission has today confirmed the 21-player squad to represent the Kangaroos in the 2024 Pacific Championships.
The Kangaroos selectors have named eight debutants in the squad, which will play in the tournament against Tonga and New Zealand.
The squad also includes six players who took part in Sunday’s Grand Final.
The Kangaroos will play Tonga at Suncorp Stadium, Townsville, on October 18, followed by New Zealand at Apollo Projects Stadium, Christchurch on October 27.
The Commission also confirmed Isaah Yeo as Captain and Harry Grant as Vice-Captain.
“These are the best of the best, and they will represent Australia with pride. Selection in this team is the ultimate achievement in our game,” ARLC Chairman Mr Peter V’landys AM said.
“There was strong competition for a number of positions and I am excited to see what this group of players can achieve in the green and gold.
“Isaah is the Premiership co-captain and was an excellent choice as the next Captain of the Kangaroos. I’d like to particularly thank James Tedesco for leading this team so successfully and wish Isaah the best as James set the highest standard.
“I’d also like to congratulate Harry Grant on being made Vice-Captain.”
Kangaroos Coach Mal Meninga congratulated all of the players on their selection in the squad.
“We saw some outstanding individual performances through the Finals Series as well as the Grand Final,” Meninga said. “This group has experience in the green and gold and will be motivated to win.
“This is an important tournament for the Kangaroos. We will face some high-quality opposition in Tonga and New Zealand in what is the biggest international competition in the Pacific.”
The squad, listed alphabetically, is as follows:
Mitch Barnett * New Zealand Warriors
Matt Burton Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs
Bradman Best * Newcastle Knights
Patrick Carrigan Brisbane Broncos
Xavier Coates * Melbourne Storm
Lindsay Collins Sydney Roosters
Reuben Cotter North Queensland Cowboys
Angus Crichton Sydney Roosters
Tom Dearden * North Queensland Cowboys
Dylan Edwards Penrith Panthers
Harry Grant (vc) Melbourne Storm
Ben Hunt St George Illawarra Dragons
Zac Lomax * St George Illawarra Dragons
Liam Martin Penrith Panthers
Mitch Moses * Parramatta Eels
Cameron Murray South Sydney Rabbitohs
Reece Robson * North Queensland Cowboys
Lindsay Smith * Penrith Panthers
Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow Dolphins
Tom Trbojevic Manly Warringah Sea Eagles
Isaah Yeo (c) Penrith Panthers
* denotes debutant
