Incumbents Billy Slater, Brett Morris and Matt Gillett have joined a long list of high-profile withdrawals from Australia’s Four Nations squad.
Twelve players have ruled themselves unavailable for team selection for the tournament, which kicks off in Brisbane on October 25, due to injury.
Justin Hodges, Josh Dugan, Trent Merrin, Will Hopoate and Andrew Fifita are among the other big-name outs, with selectors adding nine players to the train-on outfit.
St George Illawarra pair Morris and Merrin are both due to have shoulder surgery this week to correct injuries suffered during this year’s State of Origin series.
Morris is expected to be sidelined for up to four months, with Merrin out for three.
Brisbane trio Gillett (shoulder), Hodges (knee) and Dale Coply (shoulder) are also scheduled to go under the knife in the coming days, as is Cronulla’s Michael Gordon (ankle).
The Kangaroos were already missing Paul Gallen, Nate Myles and Darius Boyd.
Slater’s withdrawal will open the door for Jarryd Hayne or Greg Inglis to fill the green and gold No.1 jersey, with strong speculation Slater could have played his last Test.
Johnathan Thurston, James Tamou and Matt Scott are among five North Queensland players named to join the squad after being knocked out of the NRL finals series.
Selectors have also called in four Manly stars, including Anthony Watmough, Brett Stewart and Daly Cherry Evans.
OUTS: Dale Copley (Broncos), Justin Hodges (Broncos), Matt Gillett (Broncos), Brett Morris (Dragons), Josh Dugan (Dragons), Trent Merrin (Dragons), Will Hopoate (Eels), Andrew Fifita (Sharks), Michael Gordon (Sharks), Billy Slater (Storm), Aidan Sezer (Titans) and Dave Taylor (Titans).
UPDATED KANGAROOS TRAIN-ON SQUAD: Ben Hunt, Corey Parker, Josh McGuire, Sam Thaiday, Gavin Cooper, James Tamou, Johnathan Thurston, Matt Scott, Michael Morgan, Jarryd Hayne, Beau Scott, Kurt Gidley, Willie Mason, Anthony Milford, Jack Wighton, Jarrod Croker, Josh Papalii, Anthony Watmough, Brenton Lawrence, Brett Stewart, Daly Cherry Evans, Luke Lewis, Cameron Smith, Cooper Cronk, Ryan Hoffman, William Chambers, Aaron Woods, Robbie Farah, Greg Bird, Jacob Lillyman.
cr
Guest
Johnston is playing for the PNG Kumusl!
cr
Guest
Johnston has decided to play for PNG Kumuls instead of a Australian Kangaroo jersy!
Alex L
Roar Rookie
*shrug* was pulling the name of a competent right centre without having reread the article. I see what you did there!
Muzz
Guest
Thanks Sean.
Charles NSW
Guest
Brett Stewart at fullback and Hayne and Inglis in the centres is what I would have!
cedric
Guest
read above Hodges is injured. I'd put Lillyman at centre with Tamou on that wing, unstopable!
cedric
Guest
being a kiwi i would hate to see this; fullback ; Stewart Centres ; Hayne and Inglis. Wings : Walker and Johnson. That's scary speed and x factor. I think Inglis and Hayne were centres in the world cup, it was just a nightmare!
Alex L
Roar Rookie
There aren't a huge number of options with injuries and this being the right edge -- Hayne could be pushed out to the wing and Hodges could play at centre, but I tend to think Chambers is the better option. Cherry-Evans played well in the utility spot during the state of origin game where he actually got to play in that role. Bird is also capable of covering a some of the positions DCE can't if things go sour with injuries.
Sean
Guest
Shoulder surgery.
The Barry
Guest
No to Chambers. His late season form has been terrible. His defence and especially his handling have let him down. If you pick young players for end of season rep teams they need to be a) playing and b) in form. Chambers is neither. Not sure about DCE in the utility role. Also out of form but it would be interesting to see how he went out of the manly environment. I'm biased but I think Tolman deserves a chance sooner or later. He ran for 220m on Saturday. They're always tough metres as well and he plays big minutes. Not sure that either Tamou or Woods deserve their spots.
Roarsome
Guest
I can't see him playing fullback though. Inglis will wear the 1 as he has a better combination with Cronk and JT than Hayne. Hayne will play in the centres or on the wing, depending on injuries and where we may have some shortages. I think he'll end up partnering Jennings in the centres.
Alex L
Roar Rookie
FB Inglis LW Tupou LC Jennings RC Hayne RW Chambers FE Thurston HB Cronk PR Scott HK Smith PR Lillyman SR Hoffman SR Thaiday LF Parker Bench Cherry-Evans Bird Tamou Woods Think that's about the right line up, especially with the knowledge that Cherry-Evans can be effective at loose forward once the game opens up a bit. Maybe Guerra in for one of the bench props if Sheens doesn't want to have Cherry-Evans in that role though. Weakened side or not, still strong, in the international arena: best rake, best halves, best second row, best fullback. Edges, Lock, and Props aren't weak either, Matt Scott is the best prop in the game today at the traditional meter barging role and Lillyman won't be embarrassed either. I know he didn't get an origin selection, but really think Aiden Tolman wouldn't look out of place on the bench at least on his recent efforts. Besides Scott none of the props should be considered certainties.
Charles NSW
Guest
As I said before he can compete in both positions with the best of them!
Roarsome
Guest
I didn't say he couldn't shine in either position, he can shine all he likes. He's simply not the best fullback or centre.
Muzz
Guest
What's wrong with Slater ?
Renegade
Guest
I think we might struggle this year..... a lot of our best players are missing. That side that Kris has put up is a severely weak Australian outfit.... If this tournament was being played in England - I would back the Poms to win it.
Cecil
Guest
Kris like your team... If panthers make the final or win the GF what about Docker? I think some young blood is needed and he is not out of place with the top second rowers.
Rob K
Roar Rookie
Good team, I think josh Morris needs to be in there though. And id also have thaiday off the bench with Hoffman starting and leaving watmough out if the side
Kris
Guest
1. Inglis 2. Johnston 3. Walker/Jennings 4. Hayne 5. Chambers/Tupou 6. Thurston 7. Cronk 8. Scott 9. Smith (c) 10. Woods 11. Thaiday 12. Bird 13. Parker 14. Tamou 15. Lewis 16. Lillyman 17. Watmough Honestly there is nothing to worry about, this team will still brush aside NZ and the poms with not much difficulty in my opinion.
Charles NSW
Guest
In regards to your comments about Jarrod Hayne not being the best centre or best fullback you must be joking! He can shine in either role without a problem and is in contention with the best in either position position.