LeagueNews.co | Cooper McEnroe
Australia's hopes in the upcoming Pacific Championship have been dealt a blow with the news that star Penrith halfback Nathan Cleary has been ruled out due to a knee injury.
Cleary, who was recently selected by Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga, suffered the injury during Sunday's NRL grand final win.
Despite playing through the pain for more than half the game, scans later confirmed the extent of Cleary's injury.
As a result, Cronulla's Nicho Hynes has been called up to the squad as a replacement.
Hynes, the 2022 Dally M medallist, was chosen for his versatility in the halves, beating out this year's Dally M winner Kalyn Ponga for the spot.
Meninga emphasized the importance of having "specialists" in the squad, given the limited preparation time before the opening game against Samoa on October 14.
This injury comes as a setback for Cleary, who was undoubtedly looking forward to representing his country in the Pacific Championship.
However, it presents an opportunity for Hynes to showcase his skills on the international stage.
The pressure will now be on Hynes to step up and fill Cleary's shoes as the team prepares for the tournament.
With the loss of Cleary, Meninga may turn to Manly star Daly Cherry-Evans as a replacement halfback.
Cherry-Evans, who is already in the squad, could provide the experience and leadership needed in such a crucial position.
Ultimately, Meninga will have to make a difficult decision in selecting the best replacement for Cleary, taking into account the team's overall strategy and chemistry.
As the Australian team regroups and adjusts their plans, they will be hoping for a quick recovery for Cleary.
His absence will undoubtedly be felt, but the team will need to rally together and make the necessary adjustments to ensure they remain strong contenders in the Pacific Championship.