Josh Addo-Carr has been punted from the Kangaroos squad and is set to receive a two-game ban following his involvement in a brawl at the Koori Knockout, ruling him out of the upcoming Pacific Championships.
The NRL Integrity Unit investigage the fight at the Indigenous carnival on the Central Coast and on Friday officially sanctioned him without stating a specific ban.
Coach Mal Meninga had initially included Addo-Carr in his Kangaroos squad, named on Tuesday, but knew that this might occur given the ongoing investigation.
The length of Addo-Carr’s suspension will not be finalised until he responds to the breach notice issued to him by the NRL.
However, the silver lining is that Dylan Edwards, long touted for rep honours, will get his first crack at a Kangaroos jersey after he was called into the squad as a replacement.
(Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)
Addo-Carr’s omission is another blow to a Meninga, who is already missing the likes of Nathan Cleary and Latrell Mitchell due to injury.
Cleary is out after suffering a knee injury in the Panthers’ heroic Grand Final comeback on Sunday night.
He has an MCL problem, sustained in the Grand Final in a suspected hip-drop tackle from fellow Kangaroo Payne Haas – meaning the halfback, who was named Clive Churchill Medallist, played for 70 minutes on his injured knee, adding an extra layer of heroism to what was already one of the all-time great performances.
Nicho Hynes has been called into the squad as a replacement, though Daly Cherry-Evans will almost certainly take over in the 7 jumper. Ben Hunt is also in the squad, though he has predominantly played as a 14, sharing time at dummy half with Harry Grant.
He and Cleary shared time at halfback in last year’s World Cup, with the eventual decision to start Cleary for the semi-final against New Zealand the longest-running saga of the tournament.
Cleary will undergo further scans on his knee on Thursday, but has already withdrawn from the squad.
Hynes told the Daily Telegraph that he had not expected the call from coach Mal Meninga, having already gone on holiday following the PM XIII’s game in Papua New Guinea.
“I’m grateful to have this opportunity to be around the best of the best,” said the Sharks star.
“It’s an experience I’ve dreamt of and there is no better way to close out the year. Considering I wrote on Instagram yesterday that my season is done, to be here now, there’s no better way to finish the year.
“This is a dream come true. I obviously want to play a game, but the experience alone will be outstanding.
“I had the best experience with Chez in the Prime Minister’s game so now to be back around him and Cam (Munster) and Harry, it will only make me a better player.
Maxtruck
Roar Rookie
hammy, groin, shoulder = unlikley
matth
Roar Guru
Don’t forget Tommy Turbo as well
WA Sharks Fan
Roar Rookie
……….Doesn’t play
Heyou
Roar Rookie
Congratulations to Dylan Edwards. It’s his time to shine.. Hynes is a versatile player and a good choice.. Hunt will play from the bench. It may be his last chance to play for his country and I wish him all the best. I think it’s a great team even without the injured stars. It’s a long year for rep players and it could all end in blood, sweat and tears.. Whether the weather puts temperatures up is yet to be seen. The global warming factor could well influence success or failure in this tournament. Matches played in quarters is an interesting concept that could become a permanent change if temperatures continue to climb El Nino style.
blacktown leagues
Roar Rookie
But who left the hole lets agree to disagree my brother we got the result we both wanted let the broncos sort that sh?t out
Panthers
Roar Rookie
I think Cleary ran past about 4 players, all to his left . Then beat Walsh who was trying to come across. He was late in getting in position & couldn’t make that tackle when he got there. Yet if the others all slid across, it was the worst slide defence, as they all left a hole . To their left & Cleary’s right .
blacktown leagues
Roar Rookie
Have to disagree with you there Panthers Reynolds, Walters and Riki slid in defense Walsh was next man in, he didn’t slide in fact he didn’t move until it was too late he was flat footed standing there watching and that’s the hole he went thru
Nat
Roar Guru
No, I think I was backing the ambo at one stage. Naturally you head straight to the Star after a day like that. Did get to meet KKM and Petro there. Hope you had a good day Sunday. :thumbup:
Albo
Roar Rookie
Cheers Nat ! Did you do any good at Randwick last weekend ?
souvalis
Roar Rookie
I’m lost as to how Brailey picked up the 2 big awards at the club over him,too. He wasn’t as good as ‘22, but he probably never will be. That said he was over the full season imho the side’s best.
The Barry
Roar Guru
I guess it’s a moot point now anyway… I can put my other eye back in…
Nat
Roar Guru
The sky must look terrific in those glasses. :silly:
Nat
Roar Guru
Couldn’t just leave it at good, could ya! :silly:
Nat
Roar Guru
To say “I feel sorry for him” is patronising but to carry one team and be made a scapegoat in another is tough going.
souvalis
Roar Rookie
Forced me into the edit button Tony.
Tony Dargon
Roar Guru
PNG?
souvalis
Roar Rookie
This is true. I feel for Edwards as much as the next bloke but you can’t say ‘we’re picking specialists ‘ out of the right side of your mouth and ‘ bring Edwards in on the wing’ out of the left. There’s no worthy winger out there ?
Albo
Roar Rookie
At least we know he will be fit and reliable ! Unlike half the others selected in that team.
Albo
Roar Rookie
Yep ! I can't believe it has taken me this long to actually listen to Bloke ? And Denan Kemp is a pretty good operator of a podcast ......for an ex- Broncos player ! :silly:
The Barry
Roar Guru
I might get accused of bias… I am… but there’s nothing wrong with JAC’s form Take Origin as an example. First two games, he got literally zero attacking ball and looked poor. “He’s out of form”. Game 3, NSW play with much better shape, he gets opportunities to use his speed and suddenly he’s making breaks, scoring tries and “back in form”. Nothing changed It was even more so for the Bulldogs. When he doesn’t get good ball, he’s not making 200 metres like a To’o or Tupou. but whenever he did he looked good. He scored 11 tries from 15 games this year in the second worst scoring team in the comp. He’s 27 from 38 at the Bulldogs. That strike rate is comparable to his time at the Storm despite being in a much worse team and spending much of the last two years ‘out of form’