NRL 2023: Australian Kangaroos predicted team, Tri-Nations series, Mal Meninga, James Tedesco, Nathan Cleary, Daly Cherry-Evans, news, international rugby league
International rugby league is looming and Australian coach Mal Meninga will name his Kangaroos outfit for this year’s Tri-Nations series at the season’s end.
The Australians are the reigning world champions, but will face stiff competition from both New Zealand and Samoa in 2023.
The three rugby league heavyweights make up the top three nations in the world rankings, with Australia and Samoa facing off in the last World Cup final.
Meninga, alongside selectors Laurie Daley and Darren Lockyer, have several big decisions to make regarding the make-up of their team.
A number of speedsters are making a case for captain and incumbent fullback James Tedesco to be axed from the team.
Meanwhile, the form of one marquee superstar could see a veteran drop off the bench in a huge dummy-half shake-up.
With only seven weeks until the Kangaroos team is named, foxsports.com.au have named their predicted team for the 2023 Tri-Nations series!
FULLBACK
Incumbent: James Tedesco
Contenders: Reece Walsh, Kalyn Ponga, Dylan Edwards
Analysis: Meninga has a genuine headache on his hands when it comes to the fullback spot. There’s no denying incumbent Tedesco has been down in form this season and his place in the NSW Blues side came under scrutiny throughout the 2023 series. The Roosters gun was named skipper of the Kangaroos ahead of last year’s World Cup and didn’t miss a minute in a winning campaign. Meanwhile, the form of both Reece Walsh and Kalyn Ponga can’t be denied. Walsh has enjoyed a career-best season and was a crucial figure in securing an Origin series victory for Queensland, proving he can cut it at representative level. He has also spearheaded a red-hot Broncos backline making a charge for the minor premiership. Ponga has been the NRL’s in-form player in recent weeks and has been a key figure in the Knights’ 5-0 surge to the finals. You also only have to look back just over a year and Ponga was the best player on the ground in a crucial Origin decider, handing the Maroons the 2022 series. Panthers gun Dylan Edwards, who won the Clive Churchill Medal in 2022, is also a contender and could be the next fullback in line for NSW should Tedesco step aside. While Tedesco’s position is under threat, Meninga is expected to stay loyal to his successful skipper and Australia’s No.1 will once again line-up at the back.
Verdict: James Tedesco
WINGERS
Incumbent: Valentine Holmes and Josh Addo-Carr
Contenders: Selwyn Cobbo, Campbell Graham, Murray Taulagi
Analysis: Valentine Holmes and Josh Addo-Carr played on the wing in Australia’s World Cup final win over Samoa, but only one of these men will feature in that position once again. Josh Addo-Carr is a shoe-in for one wing spot and showed Brad Fittler why he deserves to be in the NSW set-up with a blistering campaign in England in late 2022. He earned a Blues recall and was solid, albeit off the back of a dampened backline. Holmes will be in contention for the centre role, leaving Selwyn Cobbo, Campbell Graham and Murray Taulagi to fight it out for the other wing. While Cobbo is one of the NRL’s most potent attacking wingers, and Graham has been excellent in 2023, Taulagi could get the nod after his tireless defence proved to be crucial for Queensland in this year’s Origin series. In Game I, Taulagi’s try-saving tackle on NSW skipper James Tedesco was incredibly important to stop the Blues’ momentum and ultimately the Maroons went on to win the game. He also played twice on the wing for Australia during their winning World Cup campaign and is no stranger to the international game.
Verdict: Josh Addo-Carr and Murray Taulagi
CENTRES
Incumbent: Latrell Mitchell and Jack Wighton
Contenders: Valentine Holmes, Campbell Graham, Matt Burton
Analysis: Following Jack Wighton’s representative retirement, Cowboys and Queensland superstar Valentine Holmes is set to shift one position in and feature in the centres for the Kangaroos in 2023. The 28-year-old is one of the NRL’s premier centres and has been a crucial figure in North Queensland’s finals charge as well as Queensland’s Origin series victory. Meanwhile, Rabbitohs superstar Latrell Mitchell is also a shoe-in to feature in the centres, being one of the NRL’s most dynamic players. Mitchell missed every Origin game this season due to a calf injury, but Brad Fittler was still happy to name him and wait ahead of Game II, hoping he was free to play. If fit, the 26-year-old will be one of the first names on Meninga’s Kangaroos team sheet and will forge a scary partnership with Holmes. His teammate Campbell Graham will miss out, having previously featured for the Kangaroos in the 2021 World Cup. Meanwhile, Matt Burton could also feature if injuries hurt the Australian side.
Verdict: Latrell Mitchell and Valentine Holmes
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FIVE-EIGHTH
Incumbent: Cameron Munster
Contenders: Tom Dearden, Cody Walker
Analysis: While Tom Dearden and Cody Walker have both been solid in 2023, neither have done enough to dislodge the NRL’s best big-game player. Cameron Munster will be one of the first names on Meninga’s team sheet.
Verdict: Cameron Munster
HALFBACK
Incumbent: Nathan Cleary
Contenders: Daly Cherry-Evans, Ben Hunt
Analysis: Leading in to last year’s World Cup campaign, the battle between Nathan Cleary and Daly Cherry-Evans proved to be one of the biggest question marks lingering over the side. Cherry-Evans was the incumbent and started the Kangaroos’ campaign in England before he made way for Penrith’s back-to-back premiership winner. Over the last two seasons, Cherry-Evans has bested his rival in the Origin arena, with Cleary only featuring once in NSW’s Game I loss before he was sidelined due to a hamstring injury which ruled him out for the series. However, in clubland, the Penrith juggernaut is still rolling on while the Sea Eagles are scrapping to play finals football. Cleary will likely get the nod to wear the No.7 but Cherry-Evans is still a strong chance of being included in the 20-man squad.
Verdict: Nathan Cleary
PROPS
Incumbent: Jake Trbojevic and Reagan Campbell-Gillard
Contenders: Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, Payne Haas, Lindsay Collins, Reuben Cotter, Patrick Carrigan
Analysis: Both Jake Trbojevic and Reagan Campbell-Gillard featured in NSW’s Game III victory in Sydney, but both players have fallen down the front row pecking order. Blues enforcer Payne Haas, widely considering the game’s best prop, withdrew from the Kangaroos’ winning World Cup campaign due to personal issues. If he is available, the 23-year-old will be one of the first names on Meninga’s team sheet. Meanwhile, Reuben Cotter could get the nod to partner him in the front row, having played at prop in Game I of this year’s Origin series before reverting to an edge for Game II and Game III. Cotter was awarded the Wally Lewis Medal for the 2023 Origin Player of the Series and did not miss a minute, delivering three 80-minute performances. The 24-year-old’s engine is mind blowing and his versatility means that the Australian selectors could afford to carry another middle on the bench, with Cotter potentially shifting out wider if injury hampers the side. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui is another player who started in last year’s World Cup final and will be included in this team, alongside Lindsay Collins who had career-best Origin series in 2023. His leaping effort to out jump club teammate James Tedesco and set up a try in the dying seconds of Game I for Cameron Munster being a salient moment of this year’s Origin games. Elsewhere, Pat Carrigan can also play in the front row but will feature in this team in a different position.
Verdict: Payne Haas and Reuben Cotter
HOOKER
Incumbent: Ben Hunt
Contenders: Harry Grant, Damien Cook, Reece Robson
Analysis: Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga opted for the two-hooker system in last year’s World Cup. But this time round it looks like there is only space for one man and with Harry Grant getting his nose in front of Ben Hunt in Game III of the Origin series, the Storm hooker gets the nod here. Grant boasts one of the best running games out of dummy-half in the world and is a rock in defence. He also consistently delivers 80-minute performances for Craig Bellamy and would be capable of doing it in the international arena if called upon. Meanwhile, Hunt’s minutes for Queensland reduced throughout the 2023 Origin series. By no fault of his own, he could be squeezed out of the Kangaroos starting 17. However, he still is a chance to feature in the 20-man squad with the ability to fill holes in the halves and at hooker.
Verdict: Harry Grant
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SECOND ROW
Incumbent: Angus Crichton and Liam Martin
Contenders: Jeremiah Nanai, Shaun Lane, Hudson Young, Cameron Murray
Analysis: Angus Crichton started in the World Cup final last year, but is unlikely to get picked again in 2023 after having a turbulent season. The 27-year-old missed the season’s start while to recover after he was diagnosed with bipolar disorder. After returning to the field he then suffered an MCJ injury and heasn’t played since Round 17. Cameron Murray is a strong chance of taking his place on an edge, with the lock spot being taken by a Queensland rival. The Rabbitohs gun has shown he can deliver out wide previously in the representative arena, and with several players capable of playing in the backrow, Meninga can chop and change his edge forwards at will come game day. Meanwhile, Liam Martin was excellent for NSW in a series loss, playing on an edge and in the middle. The Panthers gun is a bowling ball in attack and equally astute in defence, once again earning his spot in the starting team after featuring against Samo last year. Jeremiah Nanai was also impressive for Queensland, featuring twice after sitting out in the lead-up to the series due to suspension. Hudson Young is also an outside chance of being included but was left out of the NSW side for Game III.
Verdict: Liam Martin and Cameron Murray
LOCK
Incumbent: Isaah Yeo
Contenders: Patrick Carrigan, Cameron Murray
Analysis: Isaah Yeo was the man to start at lock for the Kangaroos in the Grand Final against Samoa last year, but the emergence of one Broncos star could see him move back to the bench. Yeo was strong off the bench for NSW in Game III of this year’s Origin series and Meninga may utilitilise a similar approach, handing Pat Carrigan the No.13 jersey. The 25-year-old was an integral figure during Queensland’s Origin series victory and is a crucial man for the Broncos, who are vying for an unexpected minor premiership. The 25-year-old tackles his heart out and has impressive ball-handling skills, having played off the bench for Australia during their win over Samoa. Cameron Murray is an unlucky omission, having won the lock spot during NSW’s Game III victory.
Verdict: Patrick Carrigan
BENCH
Incumbent: Cameron Murray, Patrick Carrigan, Tino Fa’asuamaleaui and Harry Grant
Contenders: Kalyn Ponga, Reece Walsh, Lindsay Collins, Jake Trbojevic, Reagan Campbell-Gillard
Analysis: While Meninga has previously opted to play a hooker as his utility, the form of one star can’t be ignored. Kalyn Ponga has been excellent and a key figure in the Knights’ charge to finals, and with more strong performances he could be an automatic selection in the No.14. The Newcastle marquee star can play at fullback, five-eighth, hooker and the outside backs if called upon. His return to the representative arena will come after he ruled himself out of the Origin series, with Reece Walsh getting the nod at fullback ahead of Game I. While Walsh was excellent for Queensland, Ponga’s versatility will likely see him become a stronger option to play on the bench for Australia, which sees Ben Hunt omitted from the team by no fault of his own. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui is an automatic selection in this team and played off the bench, in the World Cup final. He once again was a key player for Queensland during their series victory and packs a punch off the bench. Lindsay Collins had his best series yet in the Maroons jersey and is a deserved player to join Cotter and Haas in the front row rotation, while Isaah Yeo is the man to round out the bench and could be used at both lock and in the front row.
Verdict: Kalyn Ponga, Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, Lindsay Collins, Isaah Yeo
PREDICTED 2023 KANGAROOS TEAM
1. James Tedesco
2. Josh Addo-Carr
3. Latrell Mitchell
4. Valentine Holmes
5. Murray Taulagi
6. Cameron Munster
7. Nathan Cleary
8. Payne Haas
9. Harry Grant
10. Reuben Cotter
11. Cameron Murray
12. Liam Martin
13. Patrick Carrigan
14. Kalyn Ponga
15. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui
