Keary keen to soak up Test footy
Roosters five-eighth shocked by call-up Meninga sad to lose Munster
AUSTRALIAN debutant Luke Keary knows he has a fight on his hands if he wants to cement his spot in the Kangaroos line-up ahead of Cameron Munster.
The Roosters’ grand final hero was still stunned yesterday after receiving a late callup from Australian coach Mal Meninga to join the Kangaroos squad for their two-Test tour of New Zealand.
He said he had no idea he had been on Meninga’s radar for the past year but his dreams will now become a reality when he dons the green and gold for the first time this Saturday against the Kiwis.
The Ipswich product won his place in the Australian squad after the withdrawal of Melbourne playmaker Munster for “personal reasons”.
The two faced off in the NRL grand final last month and Clive Churchill medallist Keary walked away as the victor, but Munster’s experience earned him the Australian jersey.
The 26-year-old Keary is now ready to make his mark again on Saturday, but knows he faces an uphill battle if he is to take Munster’s place in the side in the future.
“There’s a couple of boys there, obviously Cam, but all I can do is play the best footy I can this weekend and see what happens,” Keary said of the battle for the Australian No.6 jersey.
“It’s the pinnacle of our game to get here. But it’s not about getting here, it’s about what you do when you get here.
“It’s a different arena, different footy, but I thought I strung together a few good games there at the end of the year.
“I feel like I understand my game a lot better now. I know what I’ve got to do.
“I’m really excited. I’ve always dreamt of playing in an arena like this.”
Keary said he was just on the couch at home when Meninga called with the good news on Sunday.
He will now partner Daly Cherry-Evans in the halves against New Zealand on Saturday and is expected to back up the following week against Tonga.
His Australian debut will cap a significant rise for Keary this season but he said he still cannot put a finger on why he has improved in 2018, other than just working hard.
“I just tried to work hard in all areas,” he said. “I’m pumped to be here … it took a while to sink in. I probably won’t look back on this for a few months. It’s all happening real quick, which is a good thing.
“It was a really enjoyable week. After what happened last Sunday (winning the grand final), to celebrate with your mates and then to get this call seven days later, it’s topped off a pretty special week.
“It’s a good, young crew and there’s a lot of excitement around the boys.
“It’s not the greatest situation to get called in like this (with Munster out) but it’s exciting for me … We still have (Munster) in our thoughts.”
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