Papalii, Jack Wighton and Nick Cotric surge into Kangaroos frame: Meninga

[greeneyed]

Papalii, Wighton and Cotric surge into Kangaroos frame: Meninga

Australian coach Mal Meninga says three Canberra Raiders - Josh Papalii, Jack Wighton and Nick Cotric - are amongst those involved at the business end of the season who have put themselves in the frame for Kangaroos selection.

"Josh has come of age really this year. Through his experiences in the rep arena, his maturity has risen and he's become the leader of the Canberra pack. He has pushed out the same good minutes at prop that he used to playing lock," Meninga said.

Read more: https://www.nrl.com/news/2019/09/21/kea ... oos-frame/

[Azza]

Good on them but I think Cotric is a bit of a stretch at this point...IMHO. Plenty of talent, just not been at his best recently with a stop start end to the season.

[Billy Walker]

Paps should be first pick, Wighton makes a lot of sense, I’d say there is a long list of players ahead of Cotric!

[-PJ-]

If soft hands isn't a walk up start #13 is having a lend.

[afgtnk]

Can't see Nico getting in atm. Papalii is a walk up start, Jack might be able to jag a bench spot.

[RedRaider]

Even though the options for the Kangaroos pack are many, Papa will walk into the side. At all levels he has played this year he has been outstanding. I expect Klemmer and Papa to be the starting props with Vaughan on the bench and the likes of Jurbo and Finucane to round out the middle three spots. Kaufusi and Cordner in the back row with Murray from Souths there abouts along with Frizell. Cook at hooker.

The loss of Turbo will open up some opportunities. I expect the Fox and Fergo as the wingers with Teddy at FB. Jack, Nic, Mitchell and Chambers will get first option in the centres. I reckon Keary will have one of the halves spots with DCE and Munster battling out who plays with him. Cleary also in the mix.

I am biased but I reckon HorsPOWER is a genuine option for the U/23s pack.

[greeneyed]

U23s?

[RedRaider]

U23s?

GE, Mal is preparing an Australian U/23s side to take on France in a 3 game series post the Grand Final. It was published in the Daily Telegraph on Sept 10, 2019 and picked up by Sports News the same day, which is where I read it.

"Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga has revealed plans for an exciting new under 23 concept that he believes will bolster the international game.

Meninga is preparing to assemble a Kangaroos squad consisting of the NRL's hottest young talent to partake in a three-game series at the end of the season against France... Meninga has revealed WIN Stadium as the venue to host the event in late October, following the conclusion of the season, and suggests it could include the Jillaroos."

He goes on to say it is an Australia A concept to blood the next generation of Kangaroos. While it starts against France he includes Pacific nations in the future of the concept.