Test stars Slater, Morris out of Four Nations

22 September 2014 07:31

Test stars Billy Slater and Brett Morris have joined a long list of high-profile withdrawals from Australia's squad for next month's Four Nations, the Australian Rugby League said Monday.

Twelve players are unavailable due to injury for selection for the tournament, which kicks off in Brisbane on October 25.

Slater has a shoulder injury which needs surgery, opening the way for Jarryd Hayne or Greg Inglis to be Australia's fullback in the tournament against England, New Zealand and Samoa.

Slater's surgery to repair his right AC joint is expected to keep the Test fullback out for three months.

"On the advice of the medical team it was decided surgery was required now so Slater can commence the three-month rehabilitation phase and be ready for the start of Storm's pre-season," his Melbourne Storm club said in a statement.

Morris also faces shoulder surgery and is slated to be out for up to four months. Justin Hodges, Josh Dugan, Trent Merrin, Will Hopoate and Andrew Fifita are among the other big-name withdrawals from the train-on squad.

The Kangaroos are already missing Paul Gallen, Nate Myles and Darius Boyd.

North Queensland trio Johnathan Thurston, James Tamou and Matt Scott along with Manly stars Anthony Watmough, Brett Stewart and Daly Cherry-Evans were the latest players added to the Kangaroos train-on contingent after their clubs were eliminated from the NRL finals over the weekend.

Source: AFP