Aaron Woods came from outside the Origin teams to earn selection. MAL Meninga said it was a ‘new era’ when he announced his Kangaroos squad, but there were a number of glaring omissions. After the representative retirements of Billy Slater, Cooper Cronk and Cameron Smith, the first Australia squad since the World Cup was always going to have some fresh faces. However a number of players can consider themselves fortunate to have made the cut, while several others will be wondering what they have to do to be included. Get ready for cricket like never before. FREE Sport HD + Entertainment until the first 4K cricket ball as part of 2 months free with no lock-in contract. SIGN UP TODAY. T&Cs apply. Scroll down for the winners and losers of the Kangaroos squad for the end of year Tests. WINNERS Aaron Woods Source: Getty Images He might be an incumbent starting Australia prop, but Woods had an up and down season by his own high standards. Woods lost his Blues Origin jersey and was forced out of the Bulldogs due to salary cap constraints, before finishing the season coming off the bench for the Sharks. MORE NRL NEWS ‘INGLIS MUST GO AS ROOS SKIPPER’: TEST SELECTOR DALEY DRAWS THE LINE SHOCK: INGLIS CHARGED WITH DRINK DRIVING, SPEEDING REVEALED: WHAT CAM SMITH TOLD SHATTERED STORM PLAYERS AT FULL-TIME STAR: THE PACKED HOUSE AND EMPTY WALLET BEHIND MANU’S GF STUNNER ‘SOMETHING’S HAPPENED’: CONFUSION OVER SMITH’S STORM CONTRACT STILL IN HIS PLAYING KIT! HOW THE ROOSTERS ARE CELEBRATING THE PREMIERSHIP Ben Hunt Source: Getty Images Given his form in the first half of the year, Hunt would have been a certainty, but his late season struggles made his selection anything but a given. Hunt’s versatility in covering halfback, hooker and bench utility no doubt worked in his favour along with the unavailability of James Maloney. Daly Cherry-Evans Source: AAP It has been quite a year for the Manly skipper, who has the opportunity to regain his Maroons and Kangaroos jerseys in the same season, after a number of years in the representative wilderness. James Maloney’s injury enforced absence no doubt helped Cherry-Evans, but his form has been solid all season and he deserves another opportunity to play for his country. Jordan McLean Source: News Corp Australia He may be an incumbent bench forward, having played in last year’s World Cup final, but the former Storm premiership winners’ first year in Townsville has been anything but smooth. McLean managed only 10 games for a disappointing Cowboys team in an injury interrupted campaign, but he has the opportunity to end his season on the right note. Tyrone Peachey Source: Getty Images Again Peachey’s versatility in being able to cover nearly every position in the backline as well as hooker and back row would have worked in his favour. However Peachey’s form for the Panthers and the Blues in their Origin series win more than warrants his selection in Mal Meninga’s side. James Tedesco Source: Getty Images While his selection was little surprise, the Roosters’ premiership winner has the opportunity to get first crack at Billy Slater’s No.1 jersey. Tedesco is expected to get the nod over Sharks’ rival Valentine Holmes, who should slot in on the wing. Damien Cook Source: AAP Another one of the four debutants, the Rabbitohs’ hooker was a certainty to get first crack at Cameron Smith’s No.9 jersey after a stunning season for South Sydney. Cook dominated the Origin series and was named hooker of the year at the Dally Ms, and he is all set up to continue his rapid rise with a first cap for his country. Latrell Mitchell Source: Getty Images While few could argue with Mitchell’s selection given the monster season he has put together for the Roosters and the Blues, centre is one of the most hotly contested positions in the Australian team. Josh Dugan’s late season injury concerns and Will Chambers’ poor showing in the grand final no doubt gave Mitchell a well-deserved nod for the Kangaroos. LOSERS Dane Gagai Source: Getty Images The Rabbitohs’ centre is extremely unlucky given his form for state and country over the last few seasons. Gagai had a strong year in the centres for the Rabbitohs, but his lack of tries at club level could have cost him a spot on the flank for the Kangaroos. Josh Dugan Source: News Corp Australia The incumbent Kangaroos’ centre was overlooked in favour of Latrell Mitchell and Greg Inglis and his injury concerns late in the season no doubt played a part. However Dugan can count himself unlucky, given his ability to cover wing, fullback and centre and he could come into consideration if there is an injury. Will Chambers Source: News Corp Australia The Storm centre started in the World Cup final, but his poor showing in the grand final against Latrell Mitchell looks to have cost him his spot in the team. Chambers can consider himself a victim of timing and circumstance, but if Mitchell stars on debut, he may find himself in the Test wilderness for the foreseeable future. Luke Keary Source: AAP The Clive Churchill Medal winner must have been very close to a call-up and would have most likely jagged a spot if Cameron Munster was ruled out with suspension. However the Roosters’ premiership winner will just have to bide his time, but if he keeps up his current form it will be a case of when, not if, for a Kangaroos debut. Jake Friend Source: AAP The Roosters’ hooker would have been hoping for a crack at Cameron Smith’s No.9 jersey, after spending most of his career behind the Storm legend for state and country. However Ben Hunt’s versatility and Damien Cook’s outstanding form leaves the Roosters’ skipper having to be content with celebrating his premiership win a little longer.<doc-sep>Four potential debutants and a new captain feature in Australia's rugby league squad to take on New Zealand and Tonga this month. Rabbitoh's revelation Damian Cook and Roosters phenom Latrell Mitchell have both been rewarded for their sparkling NRL campaigns, as have Panthers half Tyrone Peachey and NSW State of Origin stand-out, James Tedesco. Kangaroos veteran Greg Inglis has been awarded the captaincy after the representative retirement of incumbent skipper Cameron Smith. Coach Mal Meninga said the 19-man squad signalled the dawn of a "new era" for the test side and was eager to put them to the test against two formidable opponents. "While there are only two Test matches for the Kangaroos this year they are extremely important to me and this squad," said Meninga. "This will give us a good gauge of who we will be looking at to lead the Kangaroos into the future. "The Kangaroos have not played the Kiwis in New Zealand for four years, and have not played in Auckland for six years, so the October 13 Test match will be an extremely important one for us. "The first Test match ever against Tonga will also be a historic occasion not only for the Kangaroos but for the game as well." Australia play the Kiwis on October 13 and Tonga on October 20, both at Auckland's Mt. Smart Stadium. Australia: Reagan Campbell-Gillard, Daly Cherry-Evans, Damien Cook, Boyd Cordner, Tyson Frizell, Valentine Holmes, Ben Hunt, Greg Inglis (c), Felise Kaufusi, David Klemmer, Josh McGuire, Jordan McLean, Latrell Mitchell, Cameron Munster, Tyrone Peachey, James Tedesco, Jake Trbojevic, Tom Trbojevic, Aaron Woods Newshub.<doc-sep>Four debutants have been named in the Australia squad for the autumn internationals against New Zealand and Tonga. The Kangaroos face the Kiwis at Mt Smart Stadium on October 13 and the Mate Ma’a the week later at the same venue. Latrell Mitchell, Tyrone Peachey, James Tedesco and Damien Cook are all set to make their debuts for the Kangaroos this autumn. South Sydney Rabbitohs and Queensland star Greg Inglis will captain the side. Australia coach Mal Meninga said: “This is a new era for the Kangaroos and it is a very exciting one, based on the talent available. “There is certainly a strong showing from the New South Wales squad which won the State of Origin series and we have a number of players who performed exceptionally well through the Telstra Premiership Finals Series as well as in the Grand Final.” Kangaroos squad for 2018 autumn Tests: Reagan Campbell-Gillard (Penrith Panthers) Daly Cherry-Evans (Manly Sea Eagles) Damien Cook (South Sydney Rabbitohs) Boyd Cordner (Sydney Roosters) Tyson Frizell (St George Illawarra Dragons) Valentine Holmes (Cronulla Sharks) Ben Hunt (St George Illawarra Dragons) Greg Inglis (South Sydney Rabbitohs) Felise Kaufusi (Melbourne Storm) David Klemmer (Cantbury Bulldogs) Josh McGuire (Brisbane Broncos) Jordan McLean (North Queensland Cowboys) Latrell Mitchell (Sydney Roosters) Cameron Munster (Melbourne Storm) Tyrone Peachey (Penrith Panthers) James Tedesco (Sydney Roosters) Jake Trbojevic (Manly Sea Eagles) Tom Trbojevic (Manly Sea Eagles) Aaron Woods (Cronulla Sharks)<doc-sep>
THE Kangaroos have named their squad for the Test against New Zealand and Tonga, with Latrell Mitchell beating Will Chambers to a centre berth. Greg Inglis replaces the retired Cameron Smith as captain and there are four potential debutants in the squad. Mitchell, Damien Cook, Tyrone Peachey and James Tedesco are in line to make their debut. Get ready for cricket like never before. FREE Sport HD + Entertainment until the first 4K cricket ball as part of 2 months free with no lock-in contract. SIGN UP TODAY. T&Cs apply. Luke Keary is next in line to take Cameron Munster’s five-eighth spot if he is ruled out with suspension for his grand final head kick brain snap. “This is a new era for the Kangaroos and it is a very exciting one, based on the talent available,” Kangaroos Coach Mal Meninga said. “There is certainly a strong showing from the NSW squad which won the State of Origin series and we have a number of players who performed exceptionally well through the finals series as well as in the grand final. “While there are only two Test matches for the Kangaroos this year they are extremely important to me and this squad. “This will give us a good gauge of who we will be looking at to lead the Kangaroos into the future. “The Kangaroos have not played the Kiwis in New Zealand for four years, and have not played in Auckland for six years, so the October 13 Test match will be an extremely important one for us. “The first Test match ever against Tonga will also be a historic occasion not only for the Kangaroos but for the game as well.” The Kangaroos will play the Kiwis on October 13 and Tonga on October 20 at Mt Smart Stadium. The Junior Kangaroos and Jillaroos have also announced their squads to take on the Kiwis on October 13. KANGAROOS SQUAD Daly Cherry-Evans Damien Cook Reagan Campbell-Gillard Boyd Cordner Tyson Frizell Val Holmes Ben Hunt Greg Inglis (c) Felise Kaufusi David Klemmer Josh McGuire Jordan McLean Latrell Mitchell Cameron Munster Tyrone Peachey James Tedesco Jake Trbojevic Tom Trbojevic Aaron Woods ATTACK CHOOKS: Why Robbo threw out Roosters’ playbook mid-season to start again FEUD: Cronk grabs Smith by the throat after late tackle BUSTED: Ferguson played 30 minutes with broken leg ROOSTERS RATINGS: Star Chook rated a perfect 10! STORM RATINGS: Munster’s mad night, stars flop DOUBLE BLUFF! Roosters coach reveals Plan B genius JILLAROOS SQUAD Kezie Apps (Dragons) Chelsea Baker (Broncos) Heather Ballinger (Broncos) Annette Brander (Dragons) Brittany Breayley (Broncos) Samantha Bremner (C) (Dragons) Ali Brigginshaw(Broncos) Keeley Davis (Dragons) Tazmin Gray (Roosters) Steph Hancock (Broncos) Isabelle Kelly (Roosters) Julia Robinson (Broncos) Jess Sergis (Dragons) Hannah Southwell (Dragons) Simaima Taufa (Roosters) Zahara Temara(Roosters) Eliana Walton (Roosters) Holli Wheeler (Dragons) JUNIOR KANGAROOS 1 Corey Allan (Broncos) 2 Enari Tuala (Cowboys) 3 Gehamat Shibasaki (Broncos) 4 Zac Lomax (Dragons) 5 Nick Cotric (Raiders) 6 Sean O’Sullivan(Roosters) 7 Jake Clifford (Cowboys) 8 Pat Carrigan (Broncos) 9 Reece Robson (Dragons) 10 Emre Guler (Raiders) 11 Shawn Blore (Panthers) 12 Kotoni Staggs (Broncos) 13 Victor Radley (Roosters) 14 Blayke Brailey (Sharks) 15 Louis Geraghty (Storm) 16 Thomas Flegler (Broncos) 17 Tino Fa’asuamaleaui (Storm) 18 Kyle Flanagan (Sharks)