The star fullback has managed 20 games in a season just once for Newcastle since 2019, and was sidelined for a significant portion of 2024 by a Lisfranc fracture in his foot.
Edwards has battled a knee injury of his own over the back half of this season. But he told this masthead after starring in week one of the finals against Tedesco and the Roosters that he is no longer hampered by the issue and will be available for Australian selection.
Tedesco too has been in sublime form this season and has always enjoyed Meninga’s support since being elevated to the Kangaroos captaincy in 2022.
‘It’s Nate’s jersey’: DCE admits Cleary will be Kangaroos’ No.7
Daly Cherry-Evans has conceded Nathan Cleary will be the Kangaroos’ No. 7, but he will welcome the chance to represent his country if coach Mal Meninga needs him.
An extended Australian squad for the Pacific Championships is being finalised with uncertainty surrounding Cleary and whether he will require shoulder surgery in the off-season.
Parramatta’s Mitchell Moses is expected to feature, as will North Queensland’s Tom Dearden and Canterbury’s Matt Burton. But Cherry-Evans, the incumbent halfback, risks being frozen out altogether if Cleary is available.
The Manly skipper would love another shot against an injury-hit New Zealand and Tonga, but said he had made peace with falling behind Cleary in the pecking order.
Cherry-Evans added he would need to make a call on his representative future if he wanted to prolong his club career beyond 2025.
Daly Cherry-Evans might yet receive a call from Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga.Credit: Getty
“If Nate is healthy, Nate plays,” Cherry-Evans said. “It’s Nate’s jersey, Nate is the No. 7 when healthy. But there sounds like a bit of uncertainty there [with his injury] and that’s why I’m going to keep the door open.
“I didn’t think I was playing for Australia last year until grand final night when he [Cleary] got injured.
“I’m getting closer to retiring from rep footy, no doubt about it. There will be that thing for me to continue in the NRL, at some stage I might have to sacrifice rep footy, I definitely understand that, but I don’t think it’s right now, not.”
Mystery surrounds the availability of Cameron Munster with Melbourne expecting him to undergo double hip surgery in the off-season.
Meninga has placed a lot of value in Origin representation, which has Connor Watson putting pressure on Ben Hunt to be Harry Grant’s understudy.
A Test debut would cap an excellent year for Watson, who returned from a serious knee injury in 2023 and started this campaign in the NSW Cup.
Watson is not the only Rooster pressing for a surprise international debut with journeyman clubmate Zach Dockar-Clay, who has played just 20 NRL matches, looming as a left-field choice for New Zealand coach Stacey Jones.
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Halves Dylan Brown and Kieran Foran won’t play for the Kiwis due to injuries, leaving Jones trying to tempt Shaun Johnson out of his short-lived retirement and Newcastle’s Phoenix Crossland and Dockar-Clay as No.9 options.
Dockar-Clay, 29, was 18th man for the Roosters in their semi-final triumph over the Sea Eagles on Saturday night and has chalked up six games for the tricolours this year. He only made his NRL debut for the Bulldogs in 2022.
Meanwhile, Manly’s Lehi Hopoate could be the latest from his illustrious family to represent Tonga, with the Pacific nation set to include the teenage star in their squad for the Pacific Championships.
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