Doubts linger for Test utility
HE may finally feel at ease in the Test halves but Michael Morgan says he won’t get comfortable in the Kangaroos No. 6 jersey even if Australia win the Rugby League World Cup final in Brisbane.
Morgan has credited halves partner Cooper Cronk with helping him step up into the big shoes left behind by Johnathan Thurston and settle into the Test five- eighth role.
However, Morgan did not think he could stake a longterm claim on the No. 6 jersey even if he helped the Kangaroos defeat England and claim an 11th Australian Cup triumph tomorrow.
“It may help but it always depends on how you are playing the following year as well,” he said.
“I think there is only one Test match next year, it will be open again for anyone by then.
“I am just glad I am here and can be starting in a World Cup final.
“What comes after that I am not sure. “Hopefully I am there.” But Morgan said he did finally feel a part of the starting side thanks largely to Cronk.
“He has been really good throughout the tournament for me, giving me confidence to get the ball when I want it and even calling plays so I do get the ball,” he said.
“At first that was probably the hardest thing, coming into a team like this with a number of dominant players who are all good in their own right.
“I just had to find my position within all that.”
Morgan has spent time at fullback with North Queensland, been a Queensland and Test bench utility and made his Maroons starting debut in the centres this year.
Asked if five- eighth was his preferred position, Morgan said: “I think so, I have had most success playing there.
“I did enjoy my year at fullback ( at Cowboys) and at centre this year in Origin.
“But I am probably more clearer and more comfortable at six.”
Morgan has helped spark Australia’s left- edge attack, with Valentine Holmes feasting on 11 tries in two games. ENGLAND players have urged Wayne Bennett to stay on as coach no matter the result of tomorrow’s droughtbreaking Rugby League World Cup final against the Kangaroos.
Not since Andrew Johns broke English hearts by steering Australia to an 16- 8 triumph in 1995 has the old enemy reached the decider of the international tournament.
However Bennett has largely been credited for reigniting an England side that bounced back from a tournamentopening loss to the Kangaroos to reach the final in Brisbane.
Star fullback Gareth Widdop said the team had improved under Bennett’s watch and hoped the veteran mentor would extend his stay when his twoyear contract expires on Saturday.
“He’s a great coach. He’s been around the game a long time. He knows how to get the best out of players and we’ve certainly improved as a team,” Widdop said.
“He’s taken us to a World Cup final, it’s been 22 years. He’s obviously doing something right. I’m sure there’ll be some decisions after the game.” Halfback Luke Gale said Bennett’s success in the representative arena proved his ability to inspire teams in short build- ups. Bennett won five of seven State of Origin series in charge of Queensland, and is also widely credited – as Stephen Kearney’s assistant – for helping New Zealand upset Australia in the 2008 World Cup final.
“I love him. I think he’s a great bloke. The lads love his company,” Gale said. “He does the camp really well.
“I think we’ve been seven or eight weeks now. He’s obviously been involved in a lot of camps, be it Origin, New Zealand. He just gets it. He does it really well.
“I couldn’t speak highly enough about him.”