Australia’s Head Coach Mal Meninga has named six debutants in the Kangaroos team to play Tonga in the Pacific Championships opener this Friday.
Two years out from the World Cup, the Kangaroos evolution continues with Tom Dearden and Mitchell Moses to debut as a new halves combination.
Dearden will become Kangaroo 853, and Moses Kangaroo 855 at Suncorp Stadium on Friday night.
Further debutants include wingers Zac Lomax (Kangaroo 854) and Xavier Coates (Kangaroo 852), and interchange forwards Mitchell Barnett (Kangaroo 856) and Hudson Young (Kangaroo 857).
The team will be captained by Penrith premiership winner Isaah Yeo, with Storm hooker Harry Grant vice-captain.
Yeo’s Panthers teammate Dylan Edwards will start at fullback with Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow and Tom Trbojevic to partner in the centres.
Meninga said the State of Origin form of the new halves pairing of Dearden and Moses had proven they were ready for Test football.
“In my mind Tommy was the player of the series for Queensland, his Game Three was exceptional and Mitch was the same in Origin and club.
“A tough mindset and good attitude is critical against a strong, big, talented Tongan side.
"The Kangaroos are one of Australia’s leading sporting teams and we believe we are obligated to represent our community and family in the best possible way.
“We will definitely need to be tough and resilient and I believe this group of players exemplify that."
The squad is as follows:
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 (vc)
10. Lindsay Collins
11. Angus Crichton
12. Cameron Murray
13. Isaah Yeo (c)
14. Matt Burton
15. Mitchell Barnett*
16. Reuben Cotter
17. Hudson Young*
18. Ben Hunt
19. Lindsay Smith*
20. Reece Robson*
21. Bradman Best*
* indicates player on debut
The 2024 Pacific Championships is supported by the Queensland Government, through Tourism and Events Queensland’s Major Events Program.
