Papalii and Wighton named in Kangaroos merit squad

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Papalii and Wighton named in Kangaroos merit squad

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Papalii and Wighton named in Kangaroos merit squad

NRL CEO Andrew Abdo and national selector Laurie Daley named the Kangaroos merit squad at Rugby League Central on Monday and also announced broker Gallagher as the new naming rights partner of the Australian Kangaroos.

Read more: https://www.nrl.com/news/2020/12/14/kan ... nal-squad/

Kangaroos Merit Team announced

The Australian Rugby League Commission has announced a Kangaroos Merit Team, which includes some of the game’s most exciting young players.

The NRL is also pleased to announce that insurance broker Gallagher is the new Naming Rights Partner of the Australian Kangaroos.

Gallagher will become a major sponsor for the Kangaroos as part of a multi-year partnership. Alongside being the naming rights partner of the Gallagher Kangaroos, Gallagher will be the official insurance broker of the NRL.

The Kangaroos Merit Team was selected by the Australian selection panel and the Commission. It includes Wally Lewis Medal winner Cameron Munster and Dally M Medallist Jack Wighton.

ARLC Chairman Peter V’landys AM said the Commission was proud to work with the selection panel to name the best 17 from the Ampol State of Origin series squads.

“There is no greater honour in rugby league than representing your country, and while the pandemic has stopped the Kangaroos from playing this year, it is still incredibly important for the Commission to acknowledge the best 17 from the Origin series,” Mr V’landys said.

“This Merit Team includes some of the most exciting young players in the competition who I’m sure will be part of the Kangaroos program for many years. “

“I also want to acknowledge the sacrifices of these 17 players who went from a club bubble to a State of Origin bubble. They sacrificed more than anyone in our game to ensure we completed an entire schedule. I want to say thank you for those sacrifices.”

NRL CEO Andrew Abdo said the game was delighted to welcome Gallagher to the NRL family as Naming Rights partner of the Kangaroos.

“Playing for the Kangaroos is the pinnacle of our sport. It’s a jumper steeped in history and to have Gallagher’s branding across the front is a coup for our game,’’ he said.

“I’m looking forward to working closely with the Gallagher team to grow our partnership in the years ahead.”

Gallagher CEO Sarah Lyons said she was excited about the link with the iconic Australian sporting brand.

“Everything we provide in insurance, risk management and consulting services comes down to helping our client face their future with confidence. The same is true with our support for rugby league,” Gallagher Australia CEO Sarah Lyons said.

“We believe that in every rugby league club and team, like with all our clients, there are dreams, desires waiting to be fulfilled. We are proud to help our clients achieve their potential.”

The 2020 Kangaroos Merit Team is as follows:

1. James Tedesco
2. Josh Addo-Carr
3. Dane Gagai
4. Jack Wighton
5. Daniel Tupou
6. Cameron Munster
7. Nathan Cleary
8. Josh Papalii
9. Damien Cook
10. Christian Welch
11. Boyd Cordner (Captain)
12. Felise Kaufusi
13. Cameron Murray

14. Ryan Papenhuyzen
15. Payne Haas
16. Angus Crichton
17. Tino Fa'asuamaleaui

NRL media release
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Re: Papalii and Wighton named in Kangaroos merit squad

Post by afgtnk »

That side makes absolutely zero sense if it's meant to be the based on the best from Origin.
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Re: Papalii and Wighton named in Kangaroos merit squad

Post by -PJ- »

Yeah..and any Kangaroos side which has Angus Crichton in it is just bogus..
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Re: Papalii and Wighton named in Kangaroos merit squad

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Haas. You’re kidding me.
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Re: Papalii and Wighton named in Kangaroos merit squad

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Haas is a gun
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Re: Papalii and Wighton named in Kangaroos merit squad

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Only six Maroons make it after Queensland win the Origin series. Same old, same old.
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Re: Papalii and Wighton named in Kangaroos merit squad

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Papenhuyzen didn't even **** play
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Re: Papalii and Wighton named in Kangaroos merit squad

Post by bonehead »

it looks like season performance plus origin to me.

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Papalii and Wighton named in Kangaroos merit squad

Post by BJ »

Raiders666 wrote:Haas is a gun
Not this season. Amazing player and amazing potential. As we saw for Broncos and NSW his statistical output hides flaws in his positioning, over chasing in defence and his impact when the game is to be won or lost.

I would not have him in my Australian team this season. He’s too raw in his game play and lacks match smarts.

He will get there however.
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Re: Papalii and Wighton named in Kangaroos merit squad

Post by Wiki Special »

I don't necessarily agree with the team but I think they said it was based on their form throughout the year, the only proviso being they participated in the Origin 'Bubble'.
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Re: Papalii and Wighton named in Kangaroos merit squad

Post by gerg »

BJ wrote:
Raiders666 wrote:Haas is a gun
Not this season. Amazing player and amazing potential. As we saw for Broncos and NSW his statistical output hides flaws in his positioning, over chasing in defence and his impact when the game is to be won or lost.

I would not have him in my Australian team this season. He’s too raw in his game play and lacks match smarts.

He will get there however.
Completely agree. He was bloody ordinary this year (compared to last year) and shouldn't have made the Origin side.

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Re: Papalii and Wighton named in Kangaroos merit squad

Post by hrundi89 »

Crichton was strong in Origin for mine.
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Re: Papalii and Wighton named in Kangaroos merit squad

Post by bonehead »

hrundi89 wrote:Crichton was strong in Origin for mine.
he had a really good season and topped it off with very good origin form.


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Re: Papalii and Wighton named in Kangaroos merit squad

Post by Bay53 »

Wiki Special wrote: December 14, 2020, 7:17 pm I don't necessarily agree with the team but I think they said it was based on their form throughout the year, the only proviso being they participated in the Origin 'Bubble'.
It looks to me that they have picked the team as if they were about to play a test match. On that, I can't argue too much, including the selection of Papenhuyzen because I think if you look at Meninga coached teams through the last decade and a half, he would go for someone like that off the bench.
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Re: Papalii and Wighton named in Kangaroos merit squad

Post by Bay53 »

greeneyed wrote: December 14, 2020, 4:23 pm Only six Maroons make it after Queensland win the Origin series. Same old, same old.
Based on the origin form, you could very reasonably argue Cherry-Evans ahead of Cleary and if you are picking a squad for a real tournament, there has to be doubt over Cordner, so DCE's leadership would probably get him in, although Cleary had a much better NRL season.

Aside from that, which Maroon is unlucky to miss out?
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Re: Papalii and Wighton named in Kangaroos merit squad

Post by Northern Raider »

Bay53 wrote: December 15, 2020, 12:42 pm
greeneyed wrote: December 14, 2020, 4:23 pm Only six Maroons make it after Queensland win the Origin series. Same old, same old.
Based on the origin form, you could very reasonably argue Cherry-Evans ahead of Cleary and if you are picking a squad for a real tournament, there has to be doubt over Cordner, so DCE's leadership would probably get him in, although Cleary had a much better NRL season.

Aside from that, which Maroon is unlucky to miss out?
On Origin forms? Jai Arrow.

Even Lindsay Collins over Payne Haas.
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Re: Papalii and Wighton named in Kangaroos merit squad

Post by Bay53 »

Northern Raider wrote: December 15, 2020, 12:46 pm
Bay53 wrote: December 15, 2020, 12:42 pm
greeneyed wrote: December 14, 2020, 4:23 pm Only six Maroons make it after Queensland win the Origin series. Same old, same old.
Based on the origin form, you could very reasonably argue Cherry-Evans ahead of Cleary and if you are picking a squad for a real tournament, there has to be doubt over Cordner, so DCE's leadership would probably get him in, although Cleary had a much better NRL season.

Aside from that, which Maroon is unlucky to miss out?
On Origin forms? Jai Arrow.

Even Lindsay Collins over Payne Haas.
I will pay Arrow, although if he was to be picked it would probably be at the expense of Tino so Qld for Qld.

I thought Collins was great in Origin but I would have Haas ahead of him and I think they see Haas as a massive part of the NSW/Kangaroo set up for the next decade.
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Re: Papalii and Wighton named in Kangaroos merit squad

Post by Northern Raider »

Bay53 wrote: December 15, 2020, 12:55 pm
Northern Raider wrote: December 15, 2020, 12:46 pm
Bay53 wrote: December 15, 2020, 12:42 pm
greeneyed wrote: December 14, 2020, 4:23 pm Only six Maroons make it after Queensland win the Origin series. Same old, same old.
Based on the origin form, you could very reasonably argue Cherry-Evans ahead of Cleary and if you are picking a squad for a real tournament, there has to be doubt over Cordner, so DCE's leadership would probably get him in, although Cleary had a much better NRL season.

Aside from that, which Maroon is unlucky to miss out?
On Origin forms? Jai Arrow.

Even Lindsay Collins over Payne Haas.
I will pay Arrow, although if he was to be picked it would probably be at the expense of Tino so Qld for Qld.

I thought Collins was great in Origin but I would have Haas ahead of him and I think they see Haas as a massive part of the NSW/Kangaroo set up for the next decade.
No argument against Haas on what he can do. I was basing that on what he did do in Origin. He didn't step up while guys like Collins did.

If going on Origin performance there's no way Saifiti misses out to anybody.
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Re: Papalii and Wighton named in Kangaroos merit squad

Post by Bay53 »

I don’t think they picked the team specifically on Origin. I think they picked it as if there was a test match this weekend.
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Re: Papalii and Wighton named in Kangaroos merit squad

Post by Dr Zaius »

When has the Australian team ever been based on Origin form?

As for GEs "same old, same old" comment - Queenslanders have dominated the Australian team for the last decade. Dementia is clearly kicking in, because that is a very short memory.
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Re: Papalii and Wighton named in Kangaroos merit squad

Post by greeneyed »

I see all the usual suspects are out denigrating the mighty Maroons. NSW lost. Queensland won. Queensland won big. Some tragic selections... players who failed when going got really tough. Queenslanders stood tall when that happened. That’s who you want in the trenches in a Test. Not blokes in TicTok videos.
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Re: Papalii and Wighton named in Kangaroos merit squad

Post by Botman »

Guys.. they're not playing a **** game for nearly 12 months!
The **** are you guys even TALKING about? hahahaha

I love this place. I **** love it!
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Re: Papalii and Wighton named in Kangaroos merit squad

Post by greeneyed »

Botman wrote: December 15, 2020, 8:07 pm Guys.. they're not playing a **** game for nearly 12 months!
The **** are you guys even TALKING about? hahahaha

I love this place. I **** love it!
I don’t know, the dementia must have set in. Where am I? What’s this place?
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Re: Papalii and Wighton named in Kangaroos merit squad

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Tbh it set in a long time ago, friend
(i know you dont remember it, but we are long time friends)
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Re: Papalii and Wighton named in Kangaroos merit squad

Post by greeneyed »

Botman wrote: December 15, 2020, 8:19 pm Tbh it set in a long time ago, friend
(i know you dont remember it, but we are long time friends)
Thickos! It’s you!
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Re: Papalii and Wighton named in Kangaroos merit squad

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:lol:
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Re: Papalii and Wighton named in Kangaroos merit squad

Post by Seiffert82 »

What's with Boyd Cordner getting a gig?
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