Injury rules out Grand final hero Liam Martin from Kangaroos squad for Pacific Championships

Grand final hero Liam Martin is facing disappointment as he is likely to be ruled out of Australia’s Pacific Championships squad due to injury. The backrower, who recently won the Clive Churchill Medal for Penrith, is expected to withdraw from the Kangaroos team due to shoulder and rib issues, as reported by The Sydney Morning Herald.

In his place, Canberra’s Hudson Young is expected to step up for the tournament which kicks off on October 18. The news comes as a blow to Martin, who played a crucial role in Penrith’s grand final victory.

Additionally, James Tedesco has been axed as Kangaroos skipper, with Dylan Edwards set to take over the role. Despite narrowly missing out on the Dally M Medal, Tedesco has been left out of the 21-man squad for the tournament.

The selection process has also seen Knights superstar Kalyn Ponga miss out on a spot, with Edwards and Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow chosen as fullback options. Meninga cited Ponga’s specialist talent at fullback as the reason for his absence.

Manly duo Jake Trbojevic and Daly Cherry-Evans have also been snubbed, paving the way for a host of players to potentially make their Test debut in the green and gold.

Isaah Yeo will lead the Kangaroos as captain, with a squad that includes the likes of Mitchell Moses, Tom Trbojevic, and Cameron Murray. The team will be looking to make a mark in the upcoming Pacific Championships, with the end-of-year fixtures set to begin soon.

Overall, the Kangaroos squad is shaping up to be a mix of experienced players and potential debutants, with Yeo at the helm as the national captain. The tournament promises to be an exciting showcase of talent and competition among some of the best players in Australian rugby league.