Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga springs selection shock with Nat Butcher added to train-on squad

Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga has sprung a selection shock by naming Roosters forward Nat Butcher in the extended squad for the upcoming Pacific Championships in October.

Despite making the finals, the Roosters had an inconsistent season but Butcher, who is yet to represent his state at the Origin level, was one of their best and has been rewarded with a spot in the squad.

The forward has previously played for the Prime Minister's XIII against a Papua New Guinea affiliate in 2022.

READ MORE: Cleary hospital trip rocks Panthers in prelim final week

READ MORE: Axed skipper questions Eddie tactic after loss

READ MORE: Hewitt demands heads roll over Davis Cup 'disaster'

Butcher joins the train-on squad along with Roosters teammates James Tedesco and Lindsay Collins. Knights duo Kalyn Ponga and Bradman Best have also been named.

After a stunning Origin debut, Best could make his Kangaroos debut as coach Mal Meninga waits to see if Valentine Holmes is suspended over a breach notice.

Speaking from the Prime Minister's XIII camp on Thursday, before Best was added, Meninga suggested a number of options on the edge.

"We've still got quite a few ... still got Hamiso (Tabuai-Fidow), Bradman Best, obviously we've looking keenly on what Val Holmes is doing at the moment and the response from the game, not quite sure what's happening there," he said.

Stream the NRL premiership 2023 live and free on 9Now

"We've got Murray Taulagi who can play there, we've got a number of players we can condition for that centre position and it's something we'll look at as the finals series goes on."

The Aussie coach added praise for what Best provided in the Origin arena.

"He played really well (in Origin) and he's had a terrific year," Meninga said.

"He needs to be in the picture when we talk about a centre or a left centre in our game."