59 Morgo has three wishes
KANGAROOS f i v e - e i g h t h Michael Morgan has urged Melbourne’s “big three” Cameron Smith, Cooper Cronk and Billy Slater to continue their stellar representative careers beyond the World Cup.
In the privileged position of playing with three of the game’s greatest- ever players in Australia’s spine, Morgan said they had proven the lemon was far from being fully squeezed.
Smith won his second Golden Boot as the game’s best player and Slater has shown this year why many rate him the best fullback of all time in his return from a chronic shoulder issue.
Halfback Cronk fell short of committing to playing for Queensland and Australia next year when asked this week, but Morgan is confident his halves partner won’t bid farewell after tonight’s World Cup final against England.
“I’d be surprised if he didn’t keep playing on. He’s resigned for another two years, so I think the speculation’s come about because of JT ( Johnathan Thurston) and also Billy. I’ll have to get picked ( for future Tests first) but the more you play with someone, the more comfortable you get with them and I’ve certainly felt that the last couple of weeks.
“They’re all still playing very well. Looking in from the outside, I’d be surprised if they all pulled it up.
“That’s just based on how well they’re still playing, how they prepare and their mindset going in.
“You can tell it still means so much to them. I don’t understand why they’d quit.”
Morgan insisted the Cowboys’ grand final loss to Mel- bourne wasn’t providing added motivation to ensure he’s standing on the podium with the trophy this time.
“I haven’t thought about it that way, ( but) it wouldn’t be nice to lose two finals in one year, that’s for sure,” he said.
“It’d be pretty special, because I have achieved a few other things.
“I lost the under- 20 grand final, but I got a Q Cup ( premiership), first grade ( premiership) and Origin ( series wins) and this would top it off.”
England tested Australia during the Kangaroo’s 18- 4 win in the World Cup opener.
Australia are comprehen- sive favourites to retain their crown, but Morgan said that match would rid the hosts of any complacency.
He also backed James Roby to fill the void left by injured England hooker Josh Hodgson, who suffered a serious knee injury in the semi- final win over Tonga.
“He was really good against us last time off the bench and created a fair bit around the ruck,” Morgan said.
“We’re expecting him to be very good. They’ve definitely been our hardest game all tournament and they’ve got better since then, so we know it’s going be tough.” ENGLAND dynamo Jermaine McGillvary has been the surprise packet of the World Cup with his blockbusting charges.
Now British teammates have lifted the lid on his bizarre on- field ritual, revealing McGillvary likes to sing as he powers into the opposition.
McGillvary enters tonight’s decider against Australia at Suncorp Stadium with a tournament- high 13 line breaks, proof for England coach Wayne Bennett that he is good enough to play in the NRL.
But the 29- year- old is making noise in more ways than one.
If Australian players suddenly hear pop music tonight, they should fix their eyes on McGillvary and brace for one of his high- octane charges.
“He’s just a bit strange, if I’m honest,” England halfback Luke Gale said.
“He will sing a song and I can hear him singing to himself.’’
McGillvary probably doesn’t sing like Sinatra but as league wingers go, he is as silky smooth as they come.