2017 RLWC: Australia Kangaroos Squad
Munstaaaaaaaa.
If you were still a bit uncertain about which nation was the favourite to take out the upcoming Rugby League World Cup, the naming of Australia's squad should seal the deal. After meditating on Mal Meninga's squad and the overall vibe of this World Cup, the similarities between Australia in rugby league and Aotearoa in rugby union are more than noteworthy. Like the All Blacks, Australia's Kangaroos have the best players in the game and the best depth, making them extremely difficult to lean against over the course of a World Cup.
Much of the squad is fairly simple; Cameron Smith, Cooper Cronk, Billy Slater, Darius Boyd, Matt Gillett, Boyd Cordner, Will Chambers and based on Meninga's recent selections for Australia, the likes of Aaron Woods, David Klemmer, Jake Trbojevic, Josh McGuire, Dane Gagai, Michael Morgan, Tyson Frizell, James Maloney and Valentine Holmes were also in line to earn selection.
That leaves us with the selections of Andrew Fifita, Tom Trbojevic, Cameron Munster, Jordan McLean, Felise Kaufusi, Wade Graham and Ben Hunt in the funky basket.
Meninga wasn't keen on having Fifita around last year and after Fifita's performances in clutch moments - whether Origin game three or Cronulla Sharks' loss to North Queensland Cowboys in the NRL Finals - you could make a case against Fifita. I just view it as a bit weird from Meninga that he's been so up and down with Fifita, but Fifita can be destructive and a role with Australia where he'd likely come off the bench for 25 minute would be perfect for him.
McLean is likely to round off the middle forward depth and he'll likely get his opportunities when Meninga explores the depth of his squad. The same can be said for McLean's Melbourne Storm comrade Felise Kaufusi, who will sit behind Gillett and Cordner, as well as Graham. Given that Frizell can play both edge and middle at a high level, he's in that mix as well and this flexibility is likely to see Frizell and possibly Graham get bench spots more often than others.
Without Jonathan Thurston, Cooper Cronk needs a halves partner and it would be rude not to roll with the Cronk/Munster combination that not only led Melbourne to their NRL Championship but also dominated the deciding Origin game. James Maloney is the third in line here as Michael Morgan's form in the Finals was delicious and Munster has a proven combination with Cronk, what's perhaps more interesting though is the battle for the bench utility spot.
Many will see Ben Hunt's selection as a nod of approval for him to play off the bench for Australia, behind Smith. While I do think that Hunt will start a few games at hooker against weaker teams, there's no real need to carry a bench hooker with Smith playing 80 minutes and Australia may be better served going for a skillful lock style of player. The type of player that Queensland have used throughout their dynasty and exactly the job that Morgan has done before for Australia and Queensland.
Hunt has been selected as a back up hooker, just don't expect him to get a bench utilty spot. As I'm keen to see Cronk/Munster rolled out again, Morgan is the perfect bloke for the bench as he can legit cover any position; he's a half, played centre in Origin this year and has been a middle forward in Origin previously. I don't see the need for Morgan or Munster to play centre as Will Chambers is the best in the world and Josh Dugan is likely to get first crack, only losing that spot if he's horrible.
My strongest Australian 17 is...
FB: Slater.
Wings: Boyd, Holmes.
Centres: Chambers, Dugan.
Halves: Cronk, Munster.
Middles: Woods, Klemmer, McGuire, Smith.
Edges: Cordner, Gillett.
Bench: Morgan, Jake Trbojevic, Frizell, Graham/Fifita.
Depth: Tom Trbojevic, Gagai, Hunt, Maloney, McLean, Kaufusi.
Peace and love 27.
Hit an ad if you liked the yarn. You'll be making a donation without having to pay anything so super yoza!