MORGO TEST
Mal keeps faith with ‘underperforming’ five-eighth
COWBOYS five-eighth Michael Morgan believes pulling on an Australian jersey and throwing off the burden of running the show can be the spark plug to help him end his early season dip in form.
By his own admission Morgan has been below his best, but Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga has kept the faith in the 25-yearold for next Friday’s Test match against New Zealand in Canberra.
Morgan played all four games in last year’s Four Nations triumph and will come off the bench against the Kiwis, which will give him a chance to concentrate on his own game.
“It’s been no secret I haven’t been overly happy with my form to start the year,” Morgan said.
“I was lucky enough to play all the games in the Four Nations, which helped my cause I’m sure.
“I think it can be (a confidence booster). Since I wasn’t expecting it, it’s gives you a bit of confidence to know someone like Mal still has faith in me to be in the team.
“You’re surrounded by great players in that side, so you can just focus on your own job.”
Morgan has been forced to play halfback for the Cowboys as Johnathan Thurston battles a calf injury.
Thurston has been named at halfback for the Cowboys for tomorrow’s home clash with Parramatta, but his inclusion is subject to his injured calf getting through today’s captain’s run.
Cronulla playmaker James Maloney has been named 19th man as Kangaroos cover for Thurston, but Meninga said yesterday he is confident Thurston will be fit.
“We’re confident, he trained well yesterday (Tuesday) and we’ll see how he goes in the (Cowboys) captain’s run,” Meninga said.
“He’ll go through the medical and we’ll make some decisions on the Sunday, it’s why James Maloney has been named 19th man as well.”
Morgan has his fingers crossed Thurston will play so he can return to focusing on his running game at fiveeighth.
“He didn’t train with the side (on Tuesday), but I think it pulled up pretty well after he trained (by himself),” Morgan said.
“He’s always shown that he loves to play rep footy so I’m sure he’s keen as anyone to make sure he’s fit for that game, given it would be one of his last in green and gold.”
Cowboys centre Justin O’Neill, who made his Test debut during the Four Nations, was named 20th man with Melbourne’s Will Chambers to debut.
O’Neill has only played two games since he badly injured his hamstring in round three against Manly.
“His hamstring injury was pretty bad, because it wasn’t so obvious when it happened in the game people didn’t realise how bad it was,” Morgan said.
“But it was a pretty bad tear in his hamstring. He’s back playing but I’m sure it’s still there in his mind given how bad it was, and how much trouble it caused him.”