The Kangaroos side of tomorrow

Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga has announced his squad for the World Cup. It’s primarily made up of familiar faces. But what will the Kangaroos team look like in five years?

Mal Meninga could write Manly’s Trbojevic brothers’ names in permanent ink. They’re the future of the Kangeroos. Meninga knows this, which is why he selected Tom over James Tedesco as Billy Slater’s understudy.

We talk about Tom’s brilliance a lot, but we don’t talk enough about his versatility. He can play at wing, centre and fullback. His position of choice is fullback, but he’s got a few names ahead of him in 2017. In the future, he’ll make that fullback position his own.

Jake is a workhorse with clever football instincts. He showed that when he came off the bench in State of Origin for NSW. When Boyd Cordner retires, expect Jake to fill his boots as captain.

The Kangaroos team of the future could boast one of the most skilful backlines we’ve ever seen. Kangaroos fans can look forward to Latrell Mitchell, Kalyn Ponga and Dylan Walker showing off their footwork in the green and gold.

There’ll be a lot of competition for the Kangeroos halves. Ashley Taylor and Nathan Cleary are two young players of the future, who’ll definitely represent their respective states in the future. They might even combine forces in a Kangaroos jersey. But Anthony Milford and Cameron Munster will provide some healthy competition.

Angus Crichton and Coen Hess will make for a formidable second-row pairing. And no one will mess with a forward pack led by David Klemmer.

The most surprising name on this list is probably Sione Matu’utia. But don’t forget that he’s already made his Kangaroos debut, and was the youngest player in history to do so. And that was on the wing.

He’s now an improving second-rower with great leadership qualities. At just 20, he became the youngest ever player to captain the Knights. Expect him to return to the International Test arena.

New South Welshman make up 11 of 17 of the people on this list.

Two players on this list have played over 100 games, the two Dylans: Dylan Walker and Dylan Napa.