Reece Walsh and Latrell Mitchell cop new blow as Mal Meninga makes telling Kangaroos call

Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga has hinted both Latrell Mitchell and Reece Walsh won't be selected for Australia at the end of the season having missed out on too much footy to finish the year. Meninga has hinted in recent weeks he could be looking to the future with selections for the Australian squad after losing in humiliating fashion to New Zealand in the Pacific Championship final last year.

James Tedesco's position as captain and fullback has come under question with Dylan Edwards and Reece Walsh both representing their state this year in Origin. Latrell Mitchell was also the star in State of Origin Game 2 when he wreaked havoc on the left edge for the Blues at centre.

If both fit, many could argue both are starters for the Kangaroos or at least included in the squad. However, Meninga has hinted both stars probably won't be in his plans for the two matches against Tonga and New Zealand due to their inactivity to finish the NRL season.

Mitchell's lack of game time and one-game suspension already puts him in major doubt for the international matches. And Meninga mentioned it was more important for Mitchell to recover from a foot injury, than play for Australia, that has ruled him out since round 18 back in July.

“He just hasn’t played any footy really (to be considered),” Meninga told SEN Radio on Thursday. "In my mind, it’s important that he gets himself fit and healthy, apparently he’s going to play in our First Nations knockouts, but I think he needs a really good offseason. Let’s hope and pray that he has an injury-less season and plays really well.”

Mal Meninga's telling statement around Reece Walsh selection

However, it was his comments about finals footy that appears to have put Walsh in major doubt of making the Kangaroos squad. Walsh has not played since round 23 as he recovers from a hand fracture.

The Broncos missed finals footy having finished in 12th place in 2024. Kevin Walters is under pressure as coach, but managed the final few games of the season missing players such as Walsh and Payne Haas.

Despite the Broncos' form, Walsh was still a shining light and is considered one of the best talents in the game. However, his lack of game time and the Broncos' season coming to an end appears to have worked against him when it comes to his potential debut for the Kangaroos. Meninga admitted he will be looking at players who have proved their fitness to represent their nation.

“This year’s (finals) are important,” Meninga said. “The thing that I’m starting to understand about representative football, particularly around the back of the year, the domestic season is such a long season and we’ve got a lot of players carrying injuries that could probably threaten their season, so we’ve got a lot of those playing in the finals.

“I feel that getting through the finals with a bit of form, match fitness is really important but more so is your injury (status), I think picking fit players with match fitness is really crucial for your national program to get the best results obviously but to ensure you’ve got a team that can participate for the whole two or three games.”

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Meninga's comments appear to leave Walsh and Mitchell further down in the pecking order. Penrith fullback Edwards is playing finals, but is also carrying a knee injury. He could opt to rest at the end of the season. Meanwhile, incumbent Tedesco is fit and playing finals footy with the Roosters. The Kangaroos captain could be set to retain his jersey and captaincy come the international matches.

Only this week, Tedesco said he would not turn down the opportunity to represent his nation once again as he looks to lead the Roosters deep into the NRL finals. "Yeah definitely," Tedesco told Nine News. "I've been really happy with how I've been playing this year and again, it's up to Mal what he decides there.

"I'll never say no to representing Australia, it's the highest honour in the game and it's been a big privilege for me to captain the past two years. We'll see what happens, but if I can put my best foot forward in this finals series, hopefully I'll get another call."