Tedesco still No.1 for Kangaroos as Meninga looks to blood Ponga and Walsh

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Mal Meninga will stick with James Tedesco as his Kangaroos captain and fullback, but is considering including high-flying No.1 challengers Kalyn Ponga and Reece Walsh in his Australian squad for the end-of-season Tests.

Meninga is giving thought to selecting all three fullbacks, given Walsh is capable of playing No.6 and Ponga could fill in on the wing, at centre, five-eighth and even dummy half if needed.

Debate about Tedesco’s place in the Australian team reached fever pitch at the end of a disappointing State of Origin series for the NSW skipper. After Tedesco escaped to Byron Bay for a getaway, then helped spark the Roosters’ late-season surge to the finals, it only confirmed what Meninga already knew.

“I’ve always thought it’s a no-brainer when it comes to Teddy,” Meninga said.

“Teddy has been outstanding for a long time, he’s our current Australian captain, his effort and commitment levels are enormous, and he’s been seen as the best player in the world.

“He’s never let his country down, he’s never let his Roosters or NSW teammates down, and he deserves to be there.

“Teddy’s longevity and his ability to fight through all the negativity and still come out the other side to play his best footy, that’s a sign of a person with great mental strength.”

James Tedesco was outstanding again for the Roosters on Friday night against the Storm.Credit: Getty

While Ponga and Walsh have starred for the Knights and Broncos respectively in 2023, Meninga floated the prospect of including them all in the same squad, reasoning that it was a great opportunity to ease them on to international rugby league.

“Sometimes you pick your best players and find a position for them,” Meninga said. “Kalyn can play No.14, he can play in the halves and I believe he can play in the centres.

“I’ve done it before in rep footy where you bring a Daly Cherry-Evans, Cooper Cronk or Michael Morgan into the No.14 jersey – you know they’re going to be a part of your future, and it’s the perfect way to introduce them to it all.

“We’ve only got 20-man squads, so we definitely have to look at versatility.”

Cherry-Evans is the Queensland captain and played with Walsh and Ponga, but was not going to let his state allegiance stop him from backing his NSW captain counterpart.

“There are some fullbacks playing some unbelievable footy – ‘KP’ [Ponga] and Walshy are playing amazing footy, and it’s been so great to play alongside both of them at different stages – but they’re both different to Teddy,” Cherry-Evans said.

“What Teddy is still doing is working bloody hard. He maybe doesn’t have as many big plays as KP and Walshy, but his involvement and competitiveness is still there. He’s playing well.”

Men’s Prime Minister’s XIII squad

Josh Addo-Carr (Bulldogs), Daly Cherry-Evans (Sea Eagles, VC), Reuben Cotter (Cowboys), Tom Dearden (Cowboys), Tino Fa’asuamaleaui (Titans), Emre Guler (Raiders), Ben Hunt (Dragons), Nicho Hynes (Sharks), Alofiana Khan-Pereira (Titans), Zac Lomax (Dragons), Cameron McInnes (Sharks), Cameron Murray (Rabbitohs, C) Reece Robson (Cowboys), Tyrell Sloan (Dragons), Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow (Dolphins), Murray Taulagi (Cowboys), Jake Trbojevic (Sea Eagles), Cody Walker (Rabbitohs), Hudson Young (Raiders).

Another Queenslander, Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, also said you could not discount the fact Tedesco led Australia to World Cup glory less than 12 months ago, and it was unfortunate so many people had already forgotten that.

Meninga and the Prime Minister’s XIII will head to Ipswich for a training camp on Tuesday before playing against Papua New Guinea. Tests against Samoa in Townsville and then the Kiwis in Melbourne, followed by a possible final in Hamilton, New Zealand, await in October.

The international series will be the first time the Kangaroos, Kiwis and Samoans are paid the same flat fee for the series. And Meninga did not expect a green and gold exodus now there was no longer a financial incentive to play for Australia.

However, Meninga also said he would never pick up the phone to ask a player for their loyalty.

“I don’t ring players; I shouldn’t have to,” Meninga said. “It’s about passion, and if you choose to play for Samoa or Tonga, I’m happy, that’s a player’s choice. I know if they want to be a part of the Kangaroos, they will play their best footy.”

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