2018 NRL GRAND FINAL Young guns primed for choice spots in Cowboys
NORTH Queensland prop Jordan McLean believes young guns Jake Clifford and Enari Tuala can use their Prime Minister’s XIII selections as a stepping stone to seize the Cowboys backline spots up for grabs.
McLean, halfback Clifford and centre Tuala are in the youthful 20- man squad to play Papua New Guinea in Port Moresby next weekend.
The retirement of Johnathan Thurston and a changing of the guard in the outside backs after the departures of Antonio Winterstein ( retired), Kane Linnett ( released) and Javid Bowen ( released).
The match is also a huge chance for McLean to press his claims to retain his Kangaroos jersey for next month’s Tests against New Zealand and Tonga in Auckland.
Former Melbourne star McLean debuted for Australia in last year’s World Cup, but a serious foot injury restricted him to just 10 games in his first season with the Cowboys.
He was a standout when he returned for the final six games, the Cowboys winning four to finish a disappointing year on a high.
McLean’s Cowboys front row partner Matt Scott under- went surgery on his neck recently without any complications.
“I’m pretty happy to get picked in there considering I only played 10 games this year,” McLean said.
“I haven’t played much this year so it will be a good blow out before the New Zealand and Tonga matches.
“We’ll see what happens when the teams get named next week.
“Four months out is a long time, I was lucky to get a few games in at the back end of the season.
“Last year ( in the World Cup) Tonga showed how good they can be, it’s great the NRL’s worked a deal out to get a match on against Australia.”
Clifford broke into the NRL in the back end of the year after Michael Morgan’s season- ending injury opened the door to blood the 20- year- old Tully product.
He was named man of the match in Queensland’s break- through under- 20s Origin win and was crowned the Queensland Cup’s rookie and halfback of the year.
Clifford was named at fiveeighth alongside Daly CherryEvans in the PM’s XIII halves, giving him another chance to learn from one of the NRL’s best halves after playing alongside childhood idol Thurston.
“It ( PM’s XIII) will be a great confidence booster for Jake and Enari,” McLean said.
“It’s great to bring some youth in there and a few years down the track, they might be playing in the next couple of games ( Tests) as well.
“There's some big opportunities there ( at the Cowboys), especially for Jake with Johnno retiring. Each week he got a lot more confident and learned a few things.”
McLean, who played in the Storm’s grand final win over the Cowboys last year, is adamant former teammate Cooper Cronk will put the Roosters first should his shoulder injury fail to heal in time for Sunday’s decider.
“He won’t be playing if he can’t do a job,” McLean said. “It looks pretty bad but if anyone can do it, Coops can.
“Melbourne are just a hard working machine and keep churning it over every season.”