Oct 2nd, 2017

Oct 2nd, 2017

Australian coach Mal Meninga remained adamant form was the only determining factor for Blake Ferguson after overlooking the Sydney Roosters winger for selection in Australia's World cup squad.

Meninga and Australian Rugby League chairman John Grant fronted the media today to announce the 24 players that will feature in the end of season tournament, starting on October 27 when Australia hosts England in Melbourne on October 27.

Ferguson made headlines again this season for all the wrong reasons, after he and Josh Dugan were outed for a pub visit before NSW's must-win match in the State of Origin decider, but Meninga said that had nothing to do with the decision to overlook him.

The Roosters winger played in the Anzac Test in May, which Australia won comfortably 30-12.

Sydney Roosters winger Blake Ferguson reacts after the preliminary final loss to North Queensland. (AAP)

"The only player I rang was Blake Ferguson and he was obviously clearly upset," Meninga said.

"He's been a great player for the green and gold but I had to be honest with him around his form, and he accepted that and we moved on.

"It was more to do with his form. He wasn't in the best of form at the back end of the year.

"It's a difficult proposition leaving people out but that's part of the job unfortunately.

"(It had) nothing to do with behaviour at all.

"Knowing Blake, he's a great guy and I know how hard he'll work to get back into the footy team.

"It's disappointing, he loves to put the jersey on, but that's the way it is at this particular point of his career."

Storm score second try

Melbourne Storm featured heavily in the squad with seven players after taking out the premiership against North Queensland, while there were six debutants all up.

They included Dane Gagai (Newcastle Knights), Wade Graham (Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks), Felise Kaufusi, Jordan McLean, Cameron Munster (Melbourne Storm) and Tom Trbojevic (Manly Warringah Sea Eagles).

Storm skipper Cameron Smith will lead the team while NSW captain Boyd Cordner has been named as vice-captain.

"This squad has the right mix of youth and experience, as well as an overall balance across the positions for a World Cup campaign," Kangaroos Coach Mal Meninga said.



"It was selected based on form, performances in the State of Origin series as well as previously in the green and gold jersey.



"We have a number of players who can play multiple positions and that will be an advantage over the course of what we hope will be six matches."

The full Kangaroos World Cup squad will travel to Fiji for an exhibition match against both Fiji and PNG on October 14.

Kangaroos squad: Darius Boyd, Will Chambers, Boyd Cordner (vc), Cooper Cronk, Josh Dugan, Andrew Fifita, Tyson Frizell, Dane Gagai, Matt Gillett, Wade Graham, Valentine Holmes, Ben Hunt, Felise Kaufusi, David Klemmer, Josh McGuire, James Maloney, Jordan McLean, Michael Morgan, Cameron Munster, Billy Slater, Cameron Smith (c), Jake Trbojevic, Tom Trbojevic, Aaron Woods.