The Gold Coast Bulletin

Munster a serious option for Roos

Fensom loyalty shines through

- PETER BADEL AND TRAVIS MEYN

COOPER Cronk has urged Australia coach Mal Meninga to blood Cameron Munster in the green and gold, declaring the Storm sensation ready for a World Cup baptism.

The Kangaroos’ 24-man squad for the World Cup will be unveiled today and Munster has rocketed into the frame following the Storm’s grand-final defeat of the Cowboys on Sunday.

Australian selectors traditiona­lly reward members of the premiershi­p-winning team, with Storm trio Munster, Billy Slater and Josh Addo-Carr submitting strong claims for greenand-gold jumpers.

Munster was a revelation for Queensland in the Origin decider in July and he shapes as the perfect utility option for Australia with his ability to play fiveeighth, fullback, centre and lock.

Champion Storm halfback Cronk will be Australia’s No.7 at the World Cup, starting October 26, and says the 23-year-old has proven his ability to perform on the code’s biggest stages.

“Cam deserves an opportunit­y to play for Australia,” Cronk said.

“I would like to think I’ve helped Cameron a little bit in the last few years. I get a kick out of helping guys and seeing them get better and improving on the big stage.

“Ultimately, it will be up to the selectors, but he would thrive in that environmen­t.”

Another factor aiding Munster’s selection hopes is his club combinatio­n with Slater, Cronk and Cameron Smith, the latter of whom pushed for his elevation to the Maroons for Origin III.

Munster doesn’t expect to be Australia’s first-choice pivot at the World Cup, but would relish the prospect of playing a Mr Fixit role in the extended squad.

“It would mean the world to represent my country,” he said.

“It’s one thing to play Origin but to wear the green-and-gold jumper would be the ultimate.

“If I get picked in the side, so be it. I won’t get my hopes up too much. Michael Morgan and ‘Jimmy’ Maloney are pushing for the five-eighth spot, but if I can get in there somewhere in the squad, I wouldn’t let the jumper down.”

With Johnathan Thurston out of the World Cup following shoulder surgery, in-form Cowboys playmaker Morgan is adamant he can do the job as Cronk’s scrumbase sidekick.

“I had the opportunit­y to do it once last year at the Four Nations and really enjoyed it,” Morgan said.

“I’d love to start, there’s no doubt about that but to just be in the squad and team each week and play for your country is a very good feeling.

“I’m happy to play anywhere but it would be nice to start.

“This (grand final loss) will hurt for a long time, but I’m playing a bit different to how I was this time last year. I think I’ve got more strings to my bow now.” INJURED Cowboys co-captain Matt Scott has revealed teammate Shaun Fensom sent him a text message to say sorry for letting the team down after he suffered a sickening broken leg early in Sunday’s grand final loss to Melbourne.

In an incredible sign of the club’s team-first culture which drove them to the decider, Fensom (pictured) apologised to Scott after he was taken to hospital.

Fensom, 29, had immediate surgery in Sydney to repair his broken tibia and fibula on Sunday night, and now faces a long recovery period.

“I know all the guys are feeling for him, he texted me and apologised as soon as he went off for letting the team down – that’s the sort of guy he is,” Scott said.

“I told him to wake up to himself. He’s been one of the most underrated players in the club. What he’s done this year has been immense.”

 ?? Picture: GETTY IMAGES ?? Cameron Munster is now a major contender for Kangaroos selection following his dominating performanc­es at five-eighth for Melbourne Storm.
Picture: GETTY IMAGES Cameron Munster is now a major contender for Kangaroos selection following his dominating performanc­es at five-eighth for Melbourne Storm.
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