LeagueNews.co | Jess Malloy
In a scathing Kangaroos swipe, the absence of NRL greats Reece Walsh and Kalyn Ponga has left fans questioning the hype around Australia's upcoming clash against Tonga.
Former legends Corey Parker, Greg Alexander, Andrew Voss, and Josh Mansour have all raised concerns about the lack of excitement leading up to the game.
Representing Australia was once the pinnacle of rugby league, with players eager to wear the green and gold.
However, a number of superstars have either been overlooked or withdrawn from selection citing injuries or fatigue.
Following a thrilling NRL grand final between Penrith and the Storm, Cleary and Liam Martin have opted out of the Kangaroos squad due to injury.
With Cleary sidelined since 2022 and Munster ruling himself out post-grand final, the Kangaroos team is facing criticism for being weakened by absences.
Some believe that the international schedule has lost its edge as players prioritize their clubs over their national teams.
To add to the disappointment, talented fullbacks like Walsh have yet to don the Kangaroos jersey due to injuries or missing out on selection.
Walsh's season with the Broncos ended in disappointment as Kevin Walters' men narrowly missed out on a spot in the top eight.
The absence of these key players could prove to be a huge miss for Australia, as the Tongan clash looms large this Friday.
Time will tell if this setback will affect the Kangaroos' performance on the international stage.