Cronulla halfback Nicho Hynes is in the front seat to make his international debut after being added to the Kangaroos' squad after the withdrawal of NRL grand final hero Nathan Cleary.

Cleary won't play any part in Australia's Pacific Championship matches with injury.

An ideal situation presents ahead of coach Mal Meninga to name the untried Hynes against Samoa in Townsville on October 14 before they meet a stronger New Zealand line up the following week.

Hynes joins Dragons half Ben Hunt in the squad, but could be favoured as starting no.7 after consecutive strong years in clubland.

NSW coach Brad Fittler was highly criticised after many viewed the under-utilised Hynes, among a number of questioned selection calls, during the Blues unsuccessful State of Origin series earlier this year.

Hynes' contribution was limited to a late cameo in their game one loss in Adelaide.

The Wiradjuri man ran third in last week's Dally M medal count finishing just two points behind winner Kalyn Ponga.

Hynes was awarded the league's highest individual honour the year prior.

His addition to the Kangaroos squad adds another name to the list of potential debutants from Indigenous stars.

Broncos star pair Selwyn Cobbo and Kotoni Staggs look likely to play their first internationals.

Dolphins speedster Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow has also shot into the the national setup after starring for Queensland in their Origin triumph through the year.

While Latrell Mitchell misses out with injury, Josh Addo-Carr has kept his place despite a controversial showing at the weekend's Koori Knockout on the Central Coast.

The Bulldogs winger was allegedly an instigator of an all-in-brawl which extended into the crowd on the annual carnival's second day.

The Kangaroos play two matches to start the Pacific Championships beginning in Melbourne on the same night as the Voice referendum.