League: Duo not picked in Kangaroos for off-field issues

Andrew Fifita has been left out of the Kangaroos squad. Photo / NZ Herald

Cronulla grand final hero Andrew Fifita and Parramatta winger Semi Radradra have been deemed ineligible for Australian selection due to off-field woes.

Fifita was snubbed over the on-going controversy related to his writing a message of support for convicted one-punch killer Kieran Loveridge.

Radradra was left out for after pleading not guilty to domestic violence charges in July. He played for the Australian Prime Minister's XII's recent defeat of Papua New Guinea.

"In Semi's case, while he has pleaded not guilty, he has charges to answer at the end of the tournament," NRL chief executive Todd Greenberg said.

"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."

There is no room for veteran forwards Paul Gallen and Corey Parker, who have both been overlooked.

"They've been great servants to the green and gold jersey but we move on and look to the future," coach Mal Meninga said.

Meninga named seven debutants in the group with Jake Friend, Shannon Boyd, Tyson Frizell, Valentine Holmes, James Maloney, Matt Moylan and Justin O'Neill in line for their international debuts.

Australia take on the Kiwis in Perth on October 15 before heading to the UK for the Four Nations also involving England and Scotland. The Kiwis also named their side today.

Australian 24-man squad: Cameron Smith (capt), 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.