The choice seemed obvious but retiring Melbourne great Billy Slater reckons he can't find a clear Test successor, baulking at handing over the Kangaroos No.1 jersey to James Tedesco.
Sydney Roosters fullback Tedesco appeared to seal his selection for the Kangaroos squad for next month's Tests against New Zealand and Tonga with another powerhouse display in their 21-6 win over the Storm on Sunday night.
The squad for the Auckland Tests against the Kiwis (October 13) and Tonga (October 20) will be unveiled on Monday.
But 30-Test veteran Slater reckoned the jury was still out on who would replace him in the Australian team, nominating Cronulla's Valentine Holmes as another candidate.
The 35-year-old believed Manly's Tom Trbojevic could have also been a chance if he had not suffered a fractured eye socket in the final regular season round last month.
"I don't want to push anyone's case," Slater said.
"He (Tedesco) has been a great player for a number of years but he is not the only one with his hat in the ring.
"Tom Trbojevic had a great season and Valentine Holmes has developed into a premier No.1.
"And to be honest they can all do the job."
Still, Slater - considered the game's greatest fullback - reckoned he was leaving the Kangaroos in safe hands.
"Going through my career there have always been players nipping at my heels and pushing me to continually play to the standard that the Australian team expects," he said.
"But Tedesco is certainly a name that will be thrown up (by national selectors)."
The grand final loss drew the curtain on Slater's glittering 16 season, 319-game career, denying him a third premiership ring to savour.
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