The Kangaroos have named five debutants for Friday's Test clash with New Zealand.
Payne Haas, Nick Cotric, Jack Wighton, Josh Addo-Carr and Paul Vaughan will all represent Australia for the first time, while Cameron Murray is the unlucky one to miss out but was named 18th man.
"I've always dreamt about playing for the Australian team and now I get the chance to do it. I've still got goosebumps down my spine," Cotric said.
"It's been a crazy year. A lot has happened this year, it's overwhelming. I'm still buzzing, I just can't wait to get out there and play."
In addition, the Kiwis have confirmed four debutants with Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, Zane Tetevano, Braden Hamlin-Uele and Corey Harawira-Naera all getting the call up.
The two sides will face off in the Oceania Cup Test at WIN Stadium on Friday night.
Teams
Australia: James Tedesco, Josh Addo-Carr, Latrell Mitchell, Jack Wighton, Nick Cotric, Cameron Munster, Daly Cherry-Evans, Josh Papalii, Damien Cook, David Klemmer, Boyd Cordner, Tyson Frizell, Jake Trbojevic. Res: Ben Hunt, Payne Haas, Paul Vaughan, Wade Graham.
New Zealand: Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Ken Maumalo, Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, Joseph Manu, Jamayne Isaako, Shaun Johnson, Benji Marshall, Leeson Ah Mau, Brandon Smith, Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, Briton Nikora, Kenny Bromwich, Adam Blair, Jahrome Hughes. Res: Zane Tetevano, Braden Hamlin-Uele, Corey Harawira-Naera.
Great looking team for both countries really.
If fully fit Iโd have a few changes.
I would swap Graham to starter over Frizzel. And would have McQuire over Vaughn. Tommy Turbo over Cotric.
As for NZ Rapana over Issako is an obvious change. Jesse Bromwich over Lesson Ah Mau, NAS on the bench over Tetevano. Fisher-Harris at lock and Tohu Harris over Kenny Bromwhich but have Kenny over Haraweira-Naera.
So Iโd say Australia have a stronger team not only because of talent but because itโs better players are available. Think Ah Mau and Blair are weak in the middle as the Warriors proved all year. CNK in centre will be tested too. Kiwis will try hard but Aussie just had to much class, DCE and Munster with Cook and Teddy. I see the Kiwis finishing strong but Aussies take it 32-14
I would only make 2 changes to the Australian squad.
Ferguson in for Cotric and Moses for DCE.
@swa99y
Tommy would be fullback if he wasn’t injured and before any of you haters start, his stats would be better as well so Mal would have to select him at 1.
I can see a boilover here, 50 nil. DCE and Jake men of the series.
Nah Tinto is great but he wouldnโt start at Fullback not over Teddy. Teddy is an outstanding FB and if you compare the two Iโd probably just pick Tommy just but because Cook is at hooker and he has that combo with him heโs getting fullback. Tommy has also proven how good he is in the centres and Teddy hasnโt so I think that counts against him a little
How does a player get to represent Italy and then Australia??? How does the qualification work??? Soon we’ll be seeing a NSW player wanting to play for Queensland (only if he’s silly of course)
Will be interesting to see if Vaughan sings the anthem
Cheers
13 NSW players? Nice.
Naveenisgod, Teddy is the best player in the game at the moment, so regardless of Tommy’s health here is no way e is playing fullback. If anything Tommy could be there over Wighton, but not over Teddy.
Kev – No way Moses should be there instead of DCE mate IMO. Moses can’t tackle and is a sook. DCE is a much more mature player. I like the look of this Aussie team. Just hope all those NSW boys can get the job done this time. Mitchell was ordinary in the last test against the Kiwis.
eels47 -Agree. Tedesco could be even better if he developed a consistent passing game like what Slater and even Boyd had in their prime. Its good to see Graham on the bench too that bloke is a very skillful and aggresive player.
greggo, agree re Graham. He is probably my favourite player who doesn’t wear blue and gold. As for Teddy, he is getting there with his passing game. It is already a lot better than it was last year.
I also agree regarding DCE vs Moses. Moses had a good year for the Eels no doubt, but he needs to develop the ability to be able to grind out a win and some better game management skills to be considered a rep player. He was fantastic in the 9’s as it suited him, but in the 13 man game he isn’t a rep level consistently enough yet.
Cam Murray is officially not up to Test match standard after choking big time in this years semi finals. 18th man and he will be praying somebody gets injured so he can get picked next Test against Tonga in this very good team.
Very amusing to see not one Penrith Panther in either Test team.
Signs of the times here with the team that sacks many players mid contract, are in for a real chance next season to win a Wooden Spoon. Even with there TPA accounts which they attract more than the Premiership winning Roosters.
Mark.mywords, I get it that you detest the Panthers. Get over it.
Naveenisgod Teddy is an out and out fullback. Turbo can play 3 positions.True Teddys handling saw him 1st in the NRL for handling errors this year with 37 in 24 games. But Turbo had 24 in 12 games. That average over 24 games would have seen him take top spot easily.
If Mal played Turbo it would mean that the player that was 3rd on the try scoring list 2nd for kick return meters 1st in run meters 1st in tackle breaks 1st in line breaks Brad Fittler medal winner Wally Lewis medal winner Dally M winner as the games best player Dally M fullback of the year and the short priced favorite to win the Golden Boot as the best player in the world.
would not make the 17. Mal is not stupid.
So why wasn’t Radley picked in the Australian squad?
Any Wombat will tell you should be there.
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He wont go to the next level until he becomes more consistent with his defence.
He would have to get himself off the top 50 missed tackle list.
This year finished only behind Jimmy Maloney in that stat. Id say that would be the main reason.
Radleys playing for the u23s with ponga & co ?
Man of the match against the French mens team 62-4 was the score