Four Storm players have been named in the inaugural Kangaroos Origin Merit team.
The special side has been hand picked by Australian selectors based on performances throughout this year's State of Origin series.
Cameron Smith, Cooper Cronk, Billy Slater and Will Chambers have all been named in the team, making up four of the nine Queensland players selected.
Meninga said he hoped the naming of a Kangaroos Origin Merit Team following the interstate series would become a tradition.
“This is a special squad – the inaugural Kangaroos Origin Merit Team – and clearly it is a very talented squad as well,” said Kangaroos Coach Mal Meninga.
“This has never been done before but I think it is an important step for the national team to make, based on the pathway from state through to international level.
“Overall it will be an acknowledgement of both personal and team performances as well as individual behaviours.”
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The 2017 Kangaroos Origin Merit Team:
Position |
Player |
State |
NRL Club |
Fullback |
Billy Slater |
Queensland |
Melbourne Storm |
Wing |
Dane Gagai |
Queensland |
Newcastle Knights |
Centre |
Will Chambers |
Queensland |
Melbourne Storm |
Centre |
Josh Dugan |
NSW |
St George Illawarra Dragons |
Wing |
James Tedesco |
NSW |
Wests Tigers |
Five-Eighth |
James Maloney |
NSW |
Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks |
Halfback |
Cooper Cronk |
Queensland |
Melbourne Storm |
Prop |
David Klemmer |
NSW |
Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs |
Hooker |
Cameron Smith |
Queensland |
Melbourne Storm |
Prop |
Dylan Napa |
Queensland |
Sydney Roosters |
Second Row |
Matt Gillett |
Queensland |
Brisbane Broncos |
Second Row |
Boyd Cordner |
NSW |
Sydney Roosters |
Lock |
Josh McGuire |
Queensland |
Brisbane Broncos |
Interchange |
Michael Morgan |
Queensland |
North Queensland Cowboys |
Interchange |
Tyson Frizell |
NSW |
St George Illawarra Dragons |
Interchange |
Jake Trbojevic |
NSW |
Manly Warringah Sea Eagles |
Interchange |
Josh Jackson |
NSW |
Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs |
