NRL Don't miss out on the headlines from NRL. Followed categories will be added to My News. COMMENT Once vaunted as the game’s pinnacle, the Kangaroos are now an experimental side and an irritation that gets in the way of post-season beers in Thailand.
With players dodging national duty and others opting to represent emerging nations over the green and gold, the jersey no longer boasts the gravitational pull once so irresistible it attracted blokes like Karmichael Hunt to dog the Kiwis. Watch every game of the NAB AFL Women’s Premiership Season LIVE with no ad-breaks during play on Kayo. New to Kayo? Start your free trial today > Add the last start flogging to New Zealand, the Kalyn Ponga debacle and Mal Meninga naming a weird squad of odd socks yesterday, and it’s clear the jersey has never been in a weirder place nor at a lower value.
Meninga’s squad has drummed up plenty of debate, not only because he’s gone nuts with the axe, but also because every team reveal these days doubles as a referendum on whether anyone really gives a hoot about playing for Australia anymore. That’s because the allure of Kangaroos representation has been on a steady decline for years, with the honour being devalued by generous international eligibility rules, a packed schedule and apathy. Meninga’s team for the Pacific Championships certainly is a new look outfit — but the changes have come about for a grim reason.
Kalyn Ponga might not be wearing green and gold for a long time. I.
