Aussie debut caps huge year for Jake
JAKE Clifford hasn’t worn the green and gold before. Now he gets to do it twice.
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, capping a memorable year in which he played his first six games of NRL alongside childhood hero Johnathan Thurston late in the season.
Clifford was overlooked for Junior Kangaroos selection last year in favour of Melbourne youngster Brodie Croft, despite later taking out the National Youth Competition’s player of the year.
“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.
Fellow Cowboys youngster Enari Tuala will play in both matches alongside Clifford after the centre enjoyed an extended run in the NRL this year, while winger Murray Taulagi was a late call- up 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,” Clifford said.
“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 New South Wales. He was also named the Queensland Cup’s rookie and halfback of the year after dominant displays for Northern Pride.
Cowboys prop Jordan McLean will play for the Prime Minister’s XIII and in the Kangaroos’ Tests against New Zealand and Tonga over the next three weeks.
Despite missing most of his first year with the Cow- boys with a foot injury, the 26- year- old was outstanding when he returned late in the season to retain his spot.
He’s confident the newlook Kangaroos can overcome losing Thurston ( retirement), Cooper Cronk ( representative retirement), Cameron Smith ( representative retirement), Billy Slater ( retirement) and Greg Inglis ( disciplinary reasons).
Inglis was stood down from both Tests due to drinkdriving and speeding allegations, just hours after being named Kangaroos captain.
“Obviously a lot of great players have retired, so it’s time for the new generation to step up now,” McLean said.