Ruled out: Andrew Fifita. Credit:Jason McCawley "We don't want either him or the team to be distracted by this matter and have decided he will not be eligible for selection on this occasion. "In Andrew's case, selection for the Australian team requires standards on and off the field and as he is currently under investigation by the Integrity Unit, we believe he still has some way to go to meet those off field standards." "Andrew clearly is a talented footballer and played a very key role in the Sharks' grand final victory. "However we believe that to wear the Australian jersey, the most prestigious jersey in our game, you should have to distinguish yourself both on and off the field.

"As you know Andrew's currently being investigated by the integrity unit after wearing an armband supporting someone convicted of a violent offence. While that may not have been illegal it was in poor taste in the extreme. "Andrew was suspended for six weeks last year for abusing a junior match official and has been involved in other off-field incidents. "We therefore determine that Andrew should not be considered for selection in the Australian squad for the Four Nations tour and we delivered that advice to the Australian selectors. "I hope this decision will be seen for what it is. Our determination to build a culture in the Kangaroos which every Australian can be proud of and more broadly I hope players realise that misbehaviour can in future lead to them missing out on their dream of playing for their country. "I also hope that Andrew will learn from this decision, deal with his off-field issues and return to the Australian team soon.

Australian coach Mal Meninga said he supported the stance taken by the NRL. "I believe in all honesty that the Kangaroos jersey, the green and gold jersey should be held in high esteem," Meninga said. "I believe all the players should be great role models on the field and off the field. "It's something the players [discussed] before the Anzac Test when we were in Newcastle and they're all of the same view. We've drawn a line in the sand around behaviour. The players should be our greatest ambassadors." The 24-man squad to play in the Four Nations in the UK against England, New Zealand and Scotland contains seven potential Kangaroos debutants – Shannon Boyd, Jake Friend, Tyson Frizell, Valentine Holmes, James Maloney, Matt Moylan and Justin O'Neill.

The squad for the October 15 Test match against New Zealand at Perth's nib Stadium will come from the 24 players named on Tuesday and will be confirmed early next week. "This is a new era for the Kangaroos and the squad which has been selected for the Four Nations tournament reflects that," Meninga said. "This squad has been selected for the present, but with an eye to the future. "It is extremely heartening to see the players buy in and the quality of the players available highlights that. Loading

"We have very experienced Test players as well as some outstanding young players who have big futures in the green and gold." Kangaroos squad: Cam Smith (c), Darius Boyd, Shannon Boyd, Boyd Cordner, Cooper Cronk, Josh Dugan, Blake Ferguson, Jake Friend, Tyson Frizell, Matt Gillett, Valentine Holmes, Greg Inglis, David Klemmer, James Maloney, Josh Mansour, Trent Merrin, Michael Morgan, Matt Moylan, Justin O'Neill, Josh Papalii, Matt Scott, Sam Thaiday, Johnathan Thurston, Aaron Woods