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Keen to cover Tom Trbojevic, Mal Meninga has opted for Matt Burton on his Kangaroos bench at the expense of Ben Hunt in the big selection call ahead of a long-awaited rematch with Tonga.
Australia play Mate Ma’a in their Pacific Championships opener at Suncorp Stadium on Friday, their first meeting since Tonga’s historic 2019 Auckland upset.
Meninga will blood six debutants, including halves Tom Dearden and Mitch Moses, while Canterbury playmaker Burton will wear the No.14.
It leaves no room for St George Illawarra star Hunt, who has carved out a role in a one-two punch with hooker Harry Grant for Queensland in recent years.
But Meninga, in need of a response after a last-start 30-0 loss to New Zealand in November last year, is in need of something different from his utility.
Meninga expects vice-captain Grant to play 80 minutes and is mindful of centre Tom Trbojevic, who was initially set for off-season surgery on a shoulder injury that would have ruled him out of Test contention.
“It was difficult, no doubt but Tommy (Trbojevic) hasn’t played for a bit, in the centres either, it was a bit precautionary around his shoulder,” Meninga said of his call.
“He’s (Trbojevic) having no problems at the moment, but we’re making sure that if anyone goes down … we’ve got so much versatility in the squad (but) felt we needed outside back coverage.”
Meninga has backed his new halves pairing of young gun Dearden and NSW Origin hero Moses, who hasn’t played since rupturing his biceps when the Blues clinched the series in July.
Did Australian coach Mal Meninga underestimate the Kiwis? (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)
Nathan Cleary and Cameron Munster both require off-season surgeries while Daly Cherry-Evans was one of the big omissions from the side that lost to New Zealand in November.
“Mitch has been sensational … he’s taken control of the footy team,” Meninga said.
Dearden’s rise comes after he was initially discarded from Brisbane, flourishing since a move to North Queensland that saw him elevated to co-captaincy this year.
“They’ve got to find their feet; you learn from your experiences,” the coach said.
“There’s a lot of pressure out there, particularly in the position he plays.
“He’s found a home … feels like he’s part of the furniture and played accordingly.
“Tough mindset, good attitude through your defence … that’s what’s going to win the game on Friday night.”
Meninga also stressed he had not put a line through Kalyn Ponga’s name after the Newcastle fullback was omitted from the squad once he had reversed his decision to withdraw from contention.
“That’s not true,” he said.
“We had a really good conversation; I was really happy.
“We chose the team on merit. We sat around the selection table, six of us, and we considered Kalyn a specialist fullback.
“He has played 14 (for Queensland), we know that. But we feel that Dylan Edwards is the best No.1 in the game at the moment.”
Kalyn Ponga. (Photo by Jason McCawley/Getty Images)
Any fears of facing the Kangaroos are long gone, Tonga captain Jason Taumalolo says as his side aim for rare back-to-back rugby league Test wins over Australia.
Australia are coming off a historic 30-0 drubbing from New Zealand in November’s Pacific Cup final. Not since 2014-15 have Australia lost consecutive Tests to the same nation, when three straight defeats to New Zealand triggered a review that prompted Tim Sheens to step down as coach.
France’s back-to-back wins in Australia’s 1978 European tour was the last time the Kangaroos had lost two consecutive games to the same team.
But Tonga, at Suncorp Stadium and then New Zealand on October 27 in Christchurch, will get their chance against an Australian side that’s responded to that Kiwis loss by naming six debutants in Friday’s side.
Papua New Guinea-born Xavier Coates and Zac Lomax are on the wings and Tom Dearden and Mitch Moses will both debut as a new halves pairing.
Hudson Young and Mitch Barnett will come off the bench as the other debutants while coach Mal Meninga has opted for Matt Burton ahead of Ben Hunt as his bench utility.
(Photo by Fiona Goodall/Getty Images)
“Not really to be honest,” Taumalolo said when asked if facing the Kangaroos still carried a fear factor.
“They’ve got a great team, but so do we.
“Oppositions, not just Australia but the other nations, have definitely improved over the last few years, and it makes for a better game of footy.”
Meninga welcomed Taumalolo’s confidence.
“We don’t fear them either,” he said.
“It’s a battle for international status … it’s been a long time (since 2019) and we’re coming ready to play.”
Taumalolo’s commitment to Mate Ma’a ahead of New Zealand in 2018 came after he had led the Kiwis to the 2017 World Cup semi-finals.
It inspired others to follow the North Queensland star’s lead, their ensuing defeat of Australia shaking up international rugby league.
(Photo by Fiona Goodall/Getty Images)
Coach Kristian Woolf has been at the Tonga helm throughout, the side now boasting a world-class line-up and arguably the best forward pack in Test rugby league.
“A lot of the (2019) squad have moved on, but there’s some good memories, the atmosphere made it so special,” Taumalolo said of their last Kangaroos clash.
“That was a special team we had in 2019, and we have a special group in camp here that can do special things too.
“We know what we’re capable of.”
Dolphins halfback Isaiya Katoa and Huddersfield’s Tuimoala Lolohea form a dangerous play-making pair, while Eliesa Katoa, Keaon Koloamatangi, Haumole Olakau’atu, Felise Kaufusi, Taniela Paseka and Taumalolo will offer Woolf plenty up front.
“A lot of us have played together in the past, we have that chemistry,” Taumalolo said, confident they can match Australia’s forwards on Friday.
“And guys like Paseka, he’s already found his feet.”
KANGAROOS (1-17): Dylan Edwards, Xavier Coates, Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, Tom Trbojevic, Zac Lomax, Tom Dearden, Mitch Moses, Patrick Carrigan, Harry Grant, Lindsay Collins, Angus Crichton, Cam Murray, Isaah Yeo, Matt Burton, Mitch Barnett, Reuben Cotter, Hudson Young.
TONGA: Lehi Hopoate, Daniel Tupou, Moses Suli, Paul Alamoti, Sione Katoa, Tuimoala Lolohea, Isaiya Katoa, Addin Fonua-Blake, Siliva Havili, Felise Kaufusi, Haumole Olakau’atu, Eliesa Katoa, Jason Taumalolo, Soni Luke, Sitili Tupouniua, Taniela Paseka, Keaon Koloamatangi.
© AAP
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