Meninga fostering stars on the rise
RUGBY LEAGUE: Mal Meninga is big on giving youth a chance, as befitting someone picked to make his State of Origin debut as a player on his 20th birthday.
When Tim Sheens’s time as Australian coach was ticking down in late 2015, he implored representative selectors to select new talent to avoid Australian rugby league suffering an experience deficit at the 2018 World Cup.
Meninga’s international blooding of players without Origin experience, including Valentine Holmes, Jordan McLean and Tom Trbojevic in his two years in charge, allied to the regeneration by state selectors, have cleared the decks, with seven players blooded for the World Cup.
Only four players from Australia’s 24-man World Cup squad in 2013 are playing in this tournament. Andrew Fifita would have been a fifth had he not chosen to represent Tonga instead.
It’s something Meninga has managed by choice, overlooking men such as Sam Thaiday, Trent Merrin and Blake Ferguson even though injuries have sidelined other seasoned internationals.
Winger Dane Gagai and interchange players Wade Graham and McLean made their Kangaroos debuts in the 18-4 win over England on Friday and Meninga says all 24 men in the squad will get time during the pool games. Next up is France on Friday night in Canberra.
Here, Meninga summarises some of his new faces:
McLean: “He’s a big mobile prop and for a big fellow he has an extraordinarily quick play-the-ball. He has a great work ethic which all the Storm players have. They never stop moving defensively.”
Gagai: “He’s a great competitor. No matter which team he’s playing for, he gives his best. He deserves to be in the jersey, certainly after his Origin series.”
Graham: “Wade is a smart player and gives us a lot of variety. He can play left, right or middle (in the forwards). He can play five-eighth and could play No.9 if need be. He’s a good fellow around the team.”
Felise Kaufusi: “He has had a great year. His form on the (right) edge for the Storm was something I was impressed by. He is a big unit, good mobility and he can play at front row as well, as he did earlier in his career. He brings cohesion with the players who are in the Storm right side.” Cameron Munster: “Common sense saw you look at Cameron Munster in your spine with the other Melbourne players there. You don’t have to change too much with or without the footy. He can play fullback or left centre too. He’s strong and quick with good feet and he has a good pass.”
Tom Trbojevic: “He’s our future superstar. He’s an extraordinary talent, big, fast and with great skills. He’s going to be one of our best players not too far down the track.”