Boyd Cordner has mixed emotions on taking over the captaincy of the Kangaroos

"Both Boyd and Greg were strong candidates for the captaincy so clearly Boyd was next in line," Meninga said "Boyd has had exceptional success as a leader this season. "He skippered NSW to a State of Origin series victory and also captained Sydney Roosters to a Premiership. "Being able to captain the Kangaroos will cap a great year for him." The announcement makes Cordner the first NSW captain to lead the Kangaroos since Danny Buderus in 2005, and the first Roosters player since Brad Fittler in 2001.

It comes after he'd joined an illustrious group earlier this week, with Steve Mortimer the only other NSW captain to have won an Origin series and premiership in the same year in 1985. Cordner can go one step better when Australia takes on both the Kiwis and Tonga in Auckland on October 13 and 20 respectively. Inglis will then be eligible to regain the captaincy role if Mal Meninga chooses to go in that direction when the next Kangaroos team is picked next year.

Cordner eyes more history as Roos captain

Boyd Cordner is poised to cap a dream season with an unprecedented feat after being handed the Kangaroos captaincy following Greg Inglis' brief, ill-fated tenure. The 26-year-old Cordner can become the first person to captain NSW to a State of Origin series victory, lead his club to an NRL premiership and steer his country to a Test win all in the same year. Just two days after skippering the Sydney Roosters' NRL grand final triumph, Cordner was named Australia's latest captain on Tuesday after newly-appointed Inglis was suspended for Australia's tour of New Zealand following a mid-range drink driving charge.

Dane Gagai is set to claim Inglis' centre spot after being recalled to the Kangaroos 19-man squad by coach Mal Meninga. Cordner was long-serving captain Cameron Smith's deputy during last year's World Cup success, and has been the Blues' Origin captain since last season. "Both Boyd and Greg were strong candidates for the captaincy so clearly Boyd was next in line," Meninga said. "Boyd has had exceptional success as a leader this season. "He skippered NSW to a State of Origin series victory and also captained Sydney Roosters to a Premiership. "Being able to captain the Kangaroos will cap a great year for him." The announcement makes Cordner the first NSW captain to lead the Kangaroos since Danny Buderus in 2005, and the first Roosters player since Brad Fittler in 2001. It comes after he'd joined an illustrious group earlier this week, with Steve Mortimer the only other NSW captain to have won an Origin series and premiership in the same year in 1985. Cordner can go one step better when Australia takes on both the Kiwis and Tonga in Auckland on October 13 and 20 respectively. Inglis will then be eligible to regain the captaincy role if Mal Meninga chooses to go in that direction when the next Kangaroos team is picked next year.

Inglis suspended as Kangaroos name new captain

Greg Inglis’ Kangaroos captaincy lasted just 28 hours before he was suspended for Australia’s two-Test rugby league tour of New Zealand and replaced as leader by Boyd Cordner. Appointed to the role of national captain on Monday, Inglis paid the price for allegedly being caught speeding and drink driving just hours later in Lithgow.

The South Sydney star fronted the media on Tuesday to apologise but said he felt he deserved to stay on as Kangaroos captain. Those hopes were quickly quashed by NRL chief executive Todd Greenberg and Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga two hours later. “Greg is not just a great player, he is one of our best role models, but he made a poor decision on this occasion,” said Greenberg, announcing the suspension.

Greg Inglis' defiant response to Kangaroos captaincy pressure

Greg Inglis has offered a surprising response to his drink-driving scandal, refusing to step down as Kangaroos captain. Inglis addressed the media on Tuesday, apologising for his criminal charge. However GI says he will leave it to coach Mal Meninga and the NRL to decide whether he will remain Test captain. On Monday, Inglis was named Kangaroos skipper by Meninga just hours before he was pulled over by police after being clocked speeding and returning a positive blood alcohol test.

Inglis did not resign or quit the Australian team when he fronted media, as had been speculated by some, saying he hoped to hold on to his captaincy post but would accept any decision taken by those in charge. “I don’t think I’ve let my country down,” he said. “It’s out of my hands now but it’s something I would really love to still be the Australian captain. “Obviously we have standards there. I was in the meetings when we addressed those standards in the group a couple of years ago.“It’s disappointing from my end.”