The 2024 Pacific Championships have come to a close after the Australian Kangaroos defeated Tonga in the Final, but every nation was unable to field the best team due to either injuries or suspensions.

Following the end of the tournament,ย Zero Tackle has examined all the national teams and compared them to the best possible team they could have potentially used if all players were available for selection and weren't injured or suspended.

Coached by Mal Meninga, Australia fielded a strong team but was far from its best due to several injured or suspended players.

Despite winning the tournament by beating Tonga in the Final, they did it without the likes of Liam Martin, Nathan Cleary, Cameron Munster, Reece Walsh, Kalyn Ponga, Jake Trbojevic, Payne Haas and Tino Fa'asuamaleaui, among others.

The Back-Line

The halves combination of Cameron Munster and Nathan Cleary were both unavailable for selection due to injuries. Cleary is an automatic lock for the team, while Munster may have difficulty replacing Tom Dearden in the No.6 jersey after his sensational showing in the 2024 Pacific Championships final.

The team's spine would also change with Kalyn Ponga returning to the frame, replacing Dylan Edwards. Edwards is arguably the best fullback at club level, but he struggled to perform well in the tournament and didn't look his best in the green and gold.

Love him or hate him, no one can doubt Latrell Mitchell's ability on the field, especially when he returns to playing in the centres. This was seen in Game 2 of this year's State of Origin series and the last World Cup in 2022.

However, this would create a tough conundrum for coach Mal Meninga, who would then have to pick two out of three possible options: Mitchell, Tom Trbojevic, and Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow.

Changes:ย Kalyn Ponga, Latrell Mitchell, Cameron Munster, Nathan Cleary

Australia v Scotland: Rugby League World Cup
COVENTRY, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 21: Nathan Cleary of Australia looks to pass during Rugby League World Cup 2021 Pool B match between Australia and Scotland at The Coventry Building Society Arena on October 21, 2022 in Coventry, England. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)

The Forward Pack

While Angus Crichton and Kangaroos skipper Isaah Yeo would retain their spots in the starting side, Liam Martin's return would allow him to slot straight into the edge forward position on the other side of the field after being a late withdrawal out of the 2024 Pacific Championships.

Australia's two best front-rowers were also missing from the tournament due to injury.

Ruled out of the 2024 season with an ACL injury, Gold Coast Titans skipper Tino Fa'asuamaleaui has been a regular feature of the Kangaroos side and would be joined by Payne Haas, who underwent surgery for an injury he sustained at the backend of the season.

Their inclusion would see Patrick Carrigan and Lindsay Collins drop out of the starting front-row positions and move to the interchange bench and reserves, respectively.

Australia vice-captain Harry Grant would remain in the No.9 jersey with Ben Hunt and Reece Robson hot on his tails for the dummy-half role.

Changes:ย Liam Martin, Payne Haas, Tino Fa'asuamaleaui

Kangaroos Captain's Run
LEEDS, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 14: Isaah Yeo of Australia looks on during Kangaroos Captain's Run ahead of Rugby League World Cup 2021 at Emerald Headingley Stadium on October 14, 2022 in Leeds, England. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)

The Interchange Bench

The inclusion of Latrell Mitchell in the centres means either Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow or Tom Trbojevic will drop down to the interchange bench. Trbojevic had a stellar 2024 Pacific Championships, where he reclaimed his best form and was nominated for the 2024 Golden Boot Award, while 'The Hammer' can provide that X-factor off the bench.

After winning Man of the Match in the Final, Tom Dearden is another option, while veteran rake Ben Hunt could provide a one-two punch with Harry Grant. However, Tabuai-Fidow would provide coverage to the backs if a player were to sustain an injury.

Rabbitohs skipper Cameron Murray, Broncos vice-captain Patrick Carrigan and North Queensland Cowboys co-captain Reuben Cotter would fill the remaining spots on the interchange bench, dropping down from the starting team.

NRL Rd 4 - Dolphins v Broncos
BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 24: Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow of the Dolphins celebrates scoring a try during the round four NRL match between the Dolphins and Brisbane Broncos at Suncorp Stadium on March 24, 2023 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

On the left side is the team that played in the in the 2024 Pacific Championships final, and on the right side is their Best 17 that they could have potentially selected if everyone was fully fit and free from injuries and suspensions.

Fullback Dylan Edwards Kalyn Ponga
Wing Xavier Coates Xavier Coates
Centre Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow Latrell Mitchell
Centre Tom Trbojevic Tom Trbojevic
Wing Zac Lomax Zac Lomax
Five-Eighth Tom Dearden Cameron Munster
Halfback Mitchell Moses Nathan Cleary
Prop Patrick Carrigan Tino Fa'asuamaleaui
Hooker Harry Grant Harry Grant
Prop Lindsay Collins Payne Haas
Back-Row Angus Crichton Angus Crichton
Back-Row Cameron Murray Liam Martin
Lock Isaah Yeo Isaah Yeo
Interchange Matt Burton Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow
Interchange Mitchell Barnett Cameron Murray
Interchange Reuben Cotter Reuben Cotter
Interchange Hudson Young Patrick Carrigan
Reserve Ben Hunt Tom Dearden
Reserve Lindsay Smith Lindsay Collins

1 COMMENT

  1. It’s hard to set the parameters to apply when looking at the options for the team.

    You want to include guys that were suspended or out through injury, and that’s fine.
    Personally, I would not want to include for consideration guys with a long-term history of breaking down. So I would omit Turbo and Ponga.

    Munster fit – would he walk into the side?
    Well, the Munster of a few years ago would, but the way he has been playing in 2024 ? He’s not a walk-up start for me, even if he is fully fit.

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