LeagueNews.co | Jason Patrick
Gallagher Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga has announced his 21-man squad for the upcoming 2023 Pacific Championships.
The squad includes five debutants and eight players who have previously reached the grand finals.
The tournament is set to kick off on October 14.
According to the report on penrithpanthers.com.au, three players from the Penrith Panthers have been selected for the squad.
The four rookies from the Brisbane Broncos, Selwyn Cobbo, Payne Haas, Thomas Flegler, and Kotoni Staggs, will be making their debut in the Kangaroos campaign.
They will be joined by their teammate Patrick Carrigan.
Additionally, three players from the Panthers who were part of the Kangaroos' successful World Cup victory last year - Nathan Cleary, Isaah Yeo, and Liam Martin - have been included in the squad.
Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, the Dolphins fullback who previously played as a centre for Queensland, will also make his debut in the squad.
James Tedesco will lead the team once again as the captain, along with Lindsay Collins from the Roosters.
The hooking role is expected to be shared between Dragons captain Ben Hunt and Storm rake Harry Grant, as they did in the previous World Cup campaign.
Meninga expressed his satisfaction with the squad, stating that it consisted of a good mix of players who have already represented the Kangaroos and those who have excelled at the club and state level in 2023.