Photo: NRL.com.au
Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga has named Panthers prop Lindsay Smith in his squad to take on Tonga in the Pacific Cup RL final in Sydney this Sunday (November 10).
Smith, a prop, will come off the bench as Raiders backrower Hudson Young moves into the starting team for the injured Cameron Murray.
Tonga upset the Kiwis 25-24 in Auckland last weekend to book their spot.
Meninga told NRL.com.au that Young and Smith would represent their country with pride.
“I’ve been watching Lindsay for some time now and he’s had a tremendous couple of years with the Panthers and knows how to win,” Meninga says.
“Hudson deserves his opportunity and is a real student of the game who loves footy and playing for his country.
“Our whole squad has been exceptional all tournament and we are ready for a great challenge and 80 minutes of hard footy on Sunday.”
The squad: Dylan Edwards, Xavier Coates, Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, Tom Trbojevic, Zac Lomax, Tom Dearden, Mitch Moses, Patrick Carrigan, Harry Grant, Lindsay Collins, Angus Crichton, Hudson Young, Isaah Yeo (c), Matt Burton, Mitch Barnett, Reuben Cotter, Lindsay Smith, Ben Hunt and Bradman Best.
The Kiwi men take on PNG this weekend in a crossover game with the Pacific Bowl.
WOMEN
Jillaroos Coach Brad Donald has named his side for the Pacific Championships Cup Final against New Zealand this Sunday in Sydney.
“The team has worked extremely hard over the past 12 months and is keen to make amends for last year’s defeat,” Donald says.
“While we were happy with the result in Christchurch, we have been working hard on a number of areas to ensure the team is better this weekend.”
The Jillaroos defeated NZ 14-0 in Christchurch on October 27.
“We know the Kiwi Ferns came into last year’s final with the benefit of some continuity and Sunday will present the same situation for us,” Donald says.
“Our girls have worked hard in all areas, both on and off the field to ensure we put an even better performance in for Sunday’s final.”
Jesse Southwell has come into the squad as injury cover for Lauren Brown, who continues to recover from a hamstring injury suffered in the Prime Minister’s XIII match.
The squad: Tamika Upton, Julia Robinson, Isabelle Kelly, Tiana Penitani, Jakiya Whitfeld, Ali Brigginshaw (c-c), Tarryn Aiken, Millie Elliott, Olivia Higgins, Shannon Mato, Kezie Apps (c-c), Yasmin Clydsdale, Simaima Taufa, Keeley Davis, Sarah Togatuki, Keilee Joseph, Mahalia Murphy, Jessica Sergis, Jessika Elliston, Abbi Church, Jesse Southwell, Quincy Dodd and Lauren Brown.
PNG take on Fetu Samoa in a crossover game with the Pacific Bowl.
