Storm players dominate Kangaroos

Fullback Billy Slater and backrower Felise Kaufusi are among seven players from the NRL premiership-winning Melbourne Storm selected in Mal Meninga’s Australia squad for the Rugby League World Cup.

Kaufusi was one of six rookies confirmed yesterday in the 24-man squad for the tournament, which will be played in Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea from Oct. 27.

Sydney Roosters fullback James Tedesco is the surprise omission after being chosen by his National Rugby League peers as the player of the year. Meninga has opted for Slater, Darius Boyd and Manly’s Tom Trbojevic as fullback options ahead of Tedesco.

Meninga has also omitted winger Blake Ferguson, voted player of the tournament at last year’s Four Nations, preferring Queensland’s State of Origin player of the series Dane Gagai.

‘‘Obviously he was clearly upset,’' Meninga said of Ferguson. ``But I had to be honest with him around his form and he accepted that. We move on.’'

Brisbane Broncos utility Ben Hunt has edged the Sydney Roosters’ Jake Friend as backup hooker to captain Cameron Smith, and Melbourne prop Jordan McLean has been chosen ahead

of Queensland’s Dylan Napa.

Kaufusi was tipped as a possible surprise selection in the squad after his performance in Sunday’s NRL grand final when Melbourne thrashed the North Queensland Cowboys.

Meninga had no doubt Kaufusi had earned his place.

‘‘Breakout year, on the verge of making Origin this year, 18th man for Queensland, outstanding back end of the year,’' Meninga said. ``Combinations, cohesions with Cooper [Cronk] and Will Chambers on that right edge for the Storm. He’s a big body, can play in the middle, he helps balance the footy team out.’'

Slater won the Clive Churchill medal for the player of the NRL grand final, capping a remarkable comeback season following injuries which sidelined him last year and threatened his future in the game.

‘‘We’ve got a great array of fullbacks playing our competition at the moment and we’ve got the Clive Churchill fullback in Billy Slater. He had a terrific Origin series,’' Meninga said. ‘‘We’ve got the incumbent in Darius Boyd; never lost a test match in the green and gold jersey.

‘‘There was just such a difficult decision but I think it come down to the versatility and around the ability to play a number of positions.’’

The other Melbourne players in the squad are Smith, veteran halfback Cooper Cronk, Cameron Munster, Will Chambers and McLean.

Cronulla has four players - Wade Graham, Andrew Fifita, James Maloney and Valentine Holmes - as does Brisbane with Hunt, Boyd and forwards Matt Gillett and Josh McGuire.

Cowboys playmaker Michael Morgan was picked as a utility player after spearheading North Queensland to an unlikely run from outside the top eight and into the final. Cowboys and Australia veterans Johnathan Thurston and Matt Scott were unavailable because of long-term injuries.