- Mitch Barnett is all business ahead of Pacific Championships
- Warriors forward, 30, in line to make his debut for Australia
- Kiwi star Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad text Barnett his best wishes
- Received a blunt reply from his NRL teammate at the Warriors
Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad and Mitch Barnett are NRL teammates at the Warriors – but that friendship will go out the window when they turn out for New Zealand and Australia respectively in the Pacific Championships.
Speaking after he was named in Stacey Jones’ squad, utility back Nicoll-Klokstad revealed a hilarious text exchange he had with Barnett, who also made his debut for the NSW Blues earlier this season.
‘It was funny….I messaged him saying ‘congrats bro,’ he told reporters.
‘He [Barnett] responded: ‘I’m not your bro.’
Jones has been forced into a number of changes due to players being unavailable or injured, with Knights hooker Phoenix Crossland, boom Panthers centre Casey McLean and teammate Trent Toelau just some of the new faces.
‘It’s a huge opportunity,’ the Kiwi coach said.
‘The way I see it, it’s a fantastic chance for us to build the group to provide lots of options and depth for following campaigns.’
Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga also named a revamped squad, with fullback James Tedesco plus Sea Eagles pair Jake Trbojevic and Daly Cherry-Evans surprise omissions.
Kiwi star Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad has revealed a hilarious text exchange he had with Warriors teammate Mitch Barnett
It comes after Mitch Barnett was named in the Kangaroos squad for the first time ahead of the Pacific Championships (pictured, playing for the Warriors)
There was no place for Kalyn Ponga in Meninga’s side either, after the Newcastle fullback withdrew himself from selection and then backflipped last month.
Dylan Edwards will take the No.1 jersey from Tedesco while Panthers skipper Isaah Yeo was named as captain with Melbourne Storm hooker Harry Grant appointed vice-captain.
Meninga also suggested Cherry-Evans and Trbojevic were overlooked for the Pacific Championships for their lack of versatility with a view to the 2026 World Cup.
‘When you look at your 21 (man squad), you look at the diversity and flexibility of the team,’ he said.
‘We’ve got a range of players that can play different positions so that’s the methodology that goes into selecting this team.’
Parramatta halfback Mitchell Moses, Penrith forward Lindsay Smith and Newcastle centre Bradman Best are all in line to debut for the Kangaroos.
Australia will face Tonga in Brisbane on 18 October and then take on New Zealand in Christchurch on October 27.
