Two caps fit the bill for this Cowboy
JAKE Clifford hasn’t worn the green and gold before, but he’ll get to do it twice within the space of a week.
The 20-year-old will play alongside Manly skipper Daly Cherry-Evans in the halves for the Prime Minister’s XIII against Papua New Guinea in Port Moresby on Saturday.
Seven days later he will run the ship for the Junior Kangaroos against the Kiwis, after playing his first six games of NRL alongside childhood hero Johnathan Thurston late in the season.
Clifford was overlooked for the Junior Kangaroos last year in favour of Melbourne youngster Brodie Croft, despite later taking out the National Youth Competition’s player-of-the-year award.
“It was definitely one of my goals at the start of the year, to play some consistent footy and get that representative jersey,” Clifford said yesterday.
“It’s pretty crazy, I’ve never got to represent Australia before so I’m looking forward to the next couple of days and to get to pull on the green and gold jumper is going to be something special.
“Daly’s a very good player and getting to play alongside him is going to be pretty cool. I’ll pick his brain whenever I can.
“In past years I’ve seen them rocking up to the (Port Moresby) airport and it’s a packed house, I’m ready to soak it all in.”
Clifford virtually sealed his Junior Kangaroos spot with a man-of-the match display in Queensland’s breakthrough under-20s Origin win over NSW.
He was also named the Queensland Cup’s rookie and halfback of the year after dominant displays for Northern Pride.
Fellow Cowboys youngster Enari Tuala will play in both matches alongside Clifford, after enjoying an extended run in the NRL this year.