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My Kangaroos squad for the Four Nations

Roar Rookie
26th September, 2016
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Kangaroos and North Queensland star Johnathan Thurston produces some interesting behind the scenes antics. (AAP Image/Dan Himbrechts)
Roar Rookie
26th September, 2016
48
2336 Reads

In October and November this year the Australian rugby league team will tour England for the 2016 Four Nations.

The selectors need to pick a 24-man squad. Heres the squad I believe should be selected.

James Tedesco (Fullback)
My number one fullback for the squad. Made his Origin debut in game three this year. Been in outstanding form this season for the Wests Tigers. He is a contender for Dally M Fullback of the year. Has never played for Australia before, the best fullback of 2016.

Caps: 0
Last Test: N/A

Darius Boyd (Fullback/Wing)
My back-up fullback for the squad. Outstanding fullback for the Broncos. Played fullback for Australia in the May Anzac Test in Newcastle. Darius has played 26 Origins for Queensland scoring 17 tries.

He has played 18 Tests for the Kangaroos (14 Wing, four Fullback). He has scored 14 tries at Test level and has never ever lost a Test. If not at fullback, he must be selected for the wing.

Caps: 18
Last Test: 2016 Anzac Test v New Zealand, Newcastle

Josh Mansour (Wing)
Débuted for Australia at the 2014 Four Nations. Josh has been one of the most in-form wingers in the NRL for the back end of the season. He made his Origin début for NSW in 2016 and played all three match of the 2016 series.

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Caps: 4
Last Test: 2014 Four Nations Final v New Zealand, Wellington

Brett Morris (Wing)
Brett has been in great form for the Bulldogs in 2016 since returning for from injury. He was a star for Australia at the 2013 World Cup scoring nine tries in the tournament, becoming the equal leading try scorer of the tournament alongside Jarryd Hayne. He has scored 23 tries at Test level in only 18 appearances for the green and gold.

TEST CAPS: 18
Last Test: 2014 Anzac Test v New Zealand, Sydney

Semi Radradra (Wing)
He is the best winger in the NRL. The Fijian-born star has been playing for Parramatta in the NRL since 2013. He is a two-time Dally M Winger of the year. Despite being born in Fiji, he is eligible for the Kangaroos under the residency eligibility laws.

He has represented Fiji on a number of occasions, including at the 2013 World Cup.

Caps: 1
Last Test: 2016 Anzac Test v New Zealand, Newcastle

Greg Inglis (Centre/Fullback)
He is one of the greatest players of all time. Greg can play a number of positions in the backline. He made his Test début for Australia in 2006 on the wing while still played five-eighth for his club at the time.

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If he is in my squad he would be my first choice right centre for every game. He has scored 28 tries in the green and gold in 35 matches. He would be my third-choice fullback for the squad. He is the captain of the South Sydney Rabbitohs.

Caps: 35
Last Test: 2016 Anzac Test v New Zealand, Newcastle

Jarrod Croker (Centre)
In my opinion he is the best centre and best goal kicker in the NRL. He has never played for Australia or NSW before. He is a contender for Dally M Centre of the year. He is on the verge of breaking Hazem El Masri’s highest point scoring record.

He would be my second choice centre in the squad. He is the club captain of the Canberra Raiders. In my squad he is my first choice goal kicker.

TEST CAPS: 0
Last Test: N/A

JACK BIRD (Centre/Bench Utility)
The 2015 Rookie of the year is one of the great young talents of the game. Jack played his entire rookie season at five-eighth before shifting to centre for 2016 at the Sharks. He made is Origin début for NSW in game two this year coming of the bench and playing five-eighth later in the game.

Caps: 0
Last Test: N/A

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Michael Morgan (Five-Eighth/Bench Utility)
The young Cowboys stars is another great young talent is the game. He made his Test début in May 2016 off the bench in Newcastle. Michael has played five origins for Queensland (all off the bench). He is my first choice bench utility.

TEST CAPS: 1
Last Test: 2016 Anzac Test v New Zealand, Newcastle

Johnathan Thurston (Five-Eighth/Halfback)
Possibly the greatest player of all time and a future immortal Johnathan has played 33 Tests. He is the best player in the NRL.

He is the highest point scorer for Australia with 334 points. He would my first choice five-eighth for the team and second choice goal kicker. He is a premiership winning co-captain, Clive Churchill Medalist, four-time Dally M Medalist and Golden Boot Winner.

TEST CAPS: 33
Last Test: 2016 Anzac Test v New Zealand, Newcastle

Cooper Cronk (Halfback)
He is a 28-Test veteran and has played 300 games for the Storm. Cooper will be Australia’s halfback for the series. He has a great kicking game and he is also a great runner of the ball. A smart and skilled player makers, I rate him one of the great players in the world.

TEST CAPS: 28
Last Test: 2016 Anzac Test v New Zealand, Newcastle

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Cam Smith (c) (Hooker)
The Storm, Queensland and Australia captain will lead the kangaroos for the tournament. He is one of the best hookers in the world. He has played 39 origins for Queensland and over 300 games for Melbourne. He is my first choice hooker and third choice goal kicker in the squad.

TEST CAPS: 44
Last Test: 2016 Anzac Test v New Zealand, Newcastle

Jake Friend (Hooker)
Jake has never played Test match or Origin football in his career. In my squad he is the back-up hooker for Cameron Smith. He is a great player and leader for the Roosters and should be in the Kangaroos 24 man squad for England.

Caps: 0
Last Test: N/A

Matt Scott (Prop)
He is a premiership winning co-captain and a veteran of the game. He has played a number of Origins and Test matches. One of the best props in the game currently. He plays for the Cowboys and in my squad he is the first choice starting prop forward.

Caps: 18
Last Test: 2016 Anzac Test v New Zealand, Newcastle

Aaron Woods (Prop)
The young Wests Tigers skipper is a future NSW and Australia captain. The best Prop for NSW made his Test début for Australia at the 2014 Four Nations. In my Test squad he is guaranteed a spot and the bench every week, if not in the starting side.

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Caps: 5
Last Test: 2015 Anzac Test v New Zealand, Brisbane

Josh McGuire (Prop)
Josh is quite a good young player for the Broncos, never drops a ball. He made his Test début in 2016 in Newcastle against the Kiwis. He has played five origins for Queensland. In my squad he has a spot on the bench every week.

Caps: 1
Last Test: 2016 Anzac Test v New Zealand, Newcastle

Ryan James (Prop)
A front-rower try scoring machine scored 13 tries in 2016 for the Titans. He has never played for Australia or NSW. In my books best front-rower of 2016.

TEST CAPS: 0
Last Test: N/A

Boyd Cordner (Second Row)
One of the best second-row forwards in the game, a premiership winner with the roosters Boyd is a great player for the 24 man squad. He has previously played for NSW and Australia. In my team he is a starting player.

TEST CAPS: 6
Last Test: 2014 Four Nations Final v New Zealand, Wellington

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Josh Jackson (Second Row/Lock)
A NSW representative, Josh made his début for the Kangaroos off the bench in Wollongong against Samoa at the 2014 Four Nations. He has played in two grand finals for the Bulldogs and has played six Origins for NSW.

Caps: 2
Last Test: 2014 Four Nations Final v New Zealand, Wellington

Tyson Frizell (Second Row/Lock)
Tyson made his début for NSW in game two in 2016 scoring at Try in the second half. He then played in game three and scored another try. He is almost a certainty to be in the squad. In my team he is a starting second-rower.

Caps: 0
Last Test: N/A

Gavin Cooper (Second Row)
Gavin is a try-scoring second-rower for the Cowboys. His combination with Thurston is just superb. He has played one match for Queensland. He is one of the best second-rowers in the NRL.

Caps: 0
Last Test: N/A

Josh Papalii (Second Row)
Josh plays for Canberra in the NRL. He has played for Queensland and Australia previously. He looks set to be in the squad.

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Caps: 8
Last Test: 2016 Anzac Test v New Zealand, Newcastle

Paul Gallen (vc) (Lock/Prop)
Paul is a veteran of the game playing over 250 games for the Sharks. He is the incumbent NSW captain. He has played 32 matches for the Kangaroos. Paul will retire from representative football at the end of 2016. In my squad he is the vice-captain and starting front-rower alongside Matt Scott.

Caps: 32
Last Test: 2016 Anzac Test v New Zealand, Newcastle

Corey Parker (Lock)
Corey is a by far the best Australian Lock in the NRL. He has already retired from the NRL but wants one series with the Kangaroos. He has played 19 Origins for Queensland. In my squad he is the starting Lock-Forward.

Caps: 13
Last Test: 2016 Anzac Test v New Zealand, Newcastle

Kangaroos Four Nations fixtures
* Australia v Scotland – October 28 GMT @ Hull
* Australia v New Zealand – November 5 GMT @ Coventry
* Australia v England – November 13 GMT @ London

The Kangaroos Squad will be announced on Monday 3 October. Share your squads in the comments.

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