Mal Meninga faces huge calls after 'underwhelming' Mitchell Moses and Ben Hunt drama

Questions are being asked over whether Mal Meninga will introduced Ben Hunt into the Kangaroos squad for the clash against New Zealand after a disjointed win over Tonga on the weekend. The Kangaroos bounced back from their loss in the Pacific Championship final last year to return with a stellar 18-0 win over Tonga last Friday night.

While Meninga and the players were thrilled with the defensive shut out, Darren Lockyer described the attack as 'clunky'. Halfback debutant Mitchell Moses struggled the most out of all the debutants as he failed to replicate his State of Origin form. His connection with Harry Grant and Dylan Edwards also didn't go to plan in his return game from injury.

Moses had only played eight NRL games in 2024 and didn't play after round 18. His lack of match fitness was evident for the Kangaroos with Australia's attack stuttering in the first-half. And Penrith great Greg Alexander claimed Australia's spine - of Moses, Tom Dearden, Grant and Edwards - needed time together to gel.

"It was obvious it was a new combination. They didn't look fluent with the ball. It was very disjointed their attack and they made a lot of errors...they just hadn't played football together these four players. So I think Edwards and Moses combined for NSW, I find it hard how they would change the spine," Alexander said on SEN Radio.

The Kangaroos produced 16 errors and were clearly disjointed as the ball went to ground on a number of occasions. And following Alexander's call to keep the spine, Broncos great Parker agreed mass changes are not needed for the Kangaroos even though he deemed the performance 'underwhelming'. “They’re a work in progress. You can well and truly see that they’ve only spent a short amount of time together,” he said on Triple M Radio.

“It’s a new spine, they’re trying to get some combinations (going) and some cohesion. They defended very well… but with the ball, 16 errors and only completed at 65 per cent. I’m not sure what to think of that (performance). Defensively, I was very excited with what I saw – the passion and commitment – but with the ball they’ve got some work to do.”

Former Roosters star Luke Keary joined Parker and claimed there was still a lot of work to do for the new look spine. “Defensively I thought they were outstanding… but with the ball there’s a fair bit to go,” he added.

Ben Hunt squad conundrum for Mal Meninga

While the spine might remain the same, Hunt's absence from the 17 raised eyebrows. Matt Burton was used for the final nine minutes of the clash with Tonga and was introduced as lock. Grant was given a rest off the bench, which saw Reuben Cotter move into No.9. The balance of the team didn't seem right without Hunt on the bench with Burton used out of position.

Fans questioned Meninga's tactics after the game and on Monday, commentator Andrew Voss was asking whether Hunt will come into the squad. He also suggested the balance of the squad was not right having failed to see where Reece Robson will find game time during the Pacific Championship.

"Does Ben Hunt come onto the bench? You think he has too," Alexander asked Voss. With only one more clash to go with New Zealand to determine if Australia make the final or not, Voss suggested there was no time to experiment with players ahead of the vital clash against New Zealand.

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"Reece Robson is like the third-wheel. I don't think the balance was right. We said that right from the get-go...they are missing another middle if they were going to give someone time. I think they have to pick full strength. Whatever side Mal has in mind to play a potential final I think needs to play," Voss said.

Alexander claimed Meninga could rotate a few positions if he maintains the spine. Although the criticism will mount if Australia lose their second consecutive game to New Zealand. Regardless of the suggestions, Meninga admitted he wasn't going to make any harsh decisions.

"It's such a new team ... we'll give some serious consideration about playing again and having a bit of continuity," Meninga said after the clash. "We'll see how everyone pulls up. The guys who've missed out have been training really well and been terrific around the camp." One factor Meninga took away from the game is Australia held Tonga scoreless. And Meninga was keen to replicate this defence against New Zealand in the second Pacific Championship clash.

"We try not to get too carried away," he said about the hype for the contest against New Zealand. "Emotion is a good thing, but it's got to be controlled. Defence, that's around attitudinal things and decisions you make. I'm really happy with that, so we move on and try to play better footy."