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.
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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.
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.”
Australia Kangaroos v Tonga XIII
8.10pm AEDT, Friday, October 23,Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Kangroos: 1. Dylan Edwards 2. Xavier Coates 3. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 4. Tom Trbojevic 5. Zac Lomax 6. Tom Dearden 7. Mitchell Moses 8. Patrick Carrigan 9. Harry Grant 10. Lindsay Collins 11. Angus Crichton 12. Cameron Murray 13. Isaah Yeo 14. Matt Burton 15. Mitch Barnett 16. Reuben Cotter 17. Hudson Young 18. Ben Hunt 19. Lindsay Smith 20. Reece Robson 21. Bradman Best
Tonga: 1. Lehi Hopoate 2. Daniel Tupou 3 Mosese Suli 4. Paul Alamoti 5. Sione Katoa 6. Tuimoala Lolohea 7. Isaiya Katoa 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Siliva Havili 10. Felise Kaufusi 11. Haumole Olakau’atu 12. Eliese Katoa 13. Jason Taumalolo 14. Soni Luke 15. Sitili Tupouniua 16. Taniela Paseka 17. Keaon Koloamatangi 18. Tolutau Koula 19. Siua Wong 20. Isaiah Iongi 21. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki