The World Cup 9s squad will also be named at League HQ and expected to feature the likes of Kalyn Ponga, Parramatta pair Clint Gutherson and Mitchell Moses and, potentially, electric Melbourne fullback Ryan Papenuhuyzen.
A dejected Josh Papalii after the Raiders lost the grand final to the Roosters on Sunday night.Credit:Getty Images
Meninga is tipped to pick playmakers Cameron Munster, Daly Cherry-Evans and Luke Keary in his squad, while Roosters ace Latrell Mitchell will retain his centre spot, despite being axed from the NSW team for games two and three of the Origin series.
St George Illawarra players are not expected to be punished for their forgettable season with Tyson Frizell, Paul Vaughan and Ben Hunt all set to feature in the squad. The trio featured in Meninga's Origin Merit squad this year.
Frizell could even find himself in the starting team after there were whispers Felise Kaufusi would be ruled out because of a rib injury.
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Cameron Murray seems likely to be elevated to the squad because of Kaufusi's injury, while selectors briefly discussed the merits of picking Roosters lock forward Victor Radley.
Radley is odds-on to play for the Australian under-23 team to take on France in the October 26 Wollongong curtain-raiser before the Roos play the Kiwis.
James Tedesco, Blake Ferguson, Josh Addo-Carr and Jack Wighton are expected to complete the back five.
Prop incumbent David Klemmer will partner Papalii up front, Damien Cook, Wade Graham and Jake Trbojevic are other players whose names are likely to be read out.
Roosters and NSW skipper Boyd Cordner will lead Australia again for their latest internationals.
A Prime Minister's XIII team will fly out for Fiji on Tuesday morning to play Fiji, while the World Cup 9s will be held the following week at Bankwest Stadium before the Tests against the Kiwis and Tonga, which will proceed at Eden Park on November 2.
Christian covers rugby league for The Sydney Morning Herald.









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