We love the mighty Canberra Raiders
The Canberra Raiders will not have a player in the Australian Kangaroos side for the upcoming Pacific Championships.
On Tuesday the Australian Rugby League Commission announced their 21-player Kangaroos squad for the tournament against Samoa and New Zealand starting on October 14.
Raiders back-rower Hudson Young was thought to be the best chance from Canberra to earn selection in Mal Meninga's team, however he missed out.
Tamika Upton, who had a remarkable season, has been chosen to make her international debut for the Harvey Norman Jillaroos in the upcoming 2023 Pacific Championships.
This news was reported by the Raiders' official website.
Upton, along with Emma Manzelmann and Jess Elliston, is one of the three new players to join the team after their successful World Cup campaign in November.
Yasmin Clydsdale and Caitlan Johnston, who were part of the Knights' Grand Final victory, have also been included in the squad.
The Raiders NRLW has effectively only existed for seven months, yet in their first season, they have exceeded the expectations of most observers.
Canberra had five wins from nine games, including a memorable 24-14 victory over the high-flying Roosters in July, to finish just outside the top four in their debut season.
Much of the success can be attributed to the recruitment of key players, a coach with experience coaching in the NRLW, and the culture created within the Raiders organisation.
Coach Darrin Borthwick believes it has made the Raiders a destination club where players are attracted to come and play.