IT’S PLAY IT AGAIN SAM
SAM Thaiday is in the box seat to earn a Kangaroos reprieve with Australia coach Mal Meninga to recall the Broncos veteran for next Friday’s Trans-Tasman Test.
Meninga has hinted Thaiday will today be announced in an extended Kangaroos squad, allaying fears his international career was in jeopardy.
Thaiday missed last year’s Four Nations final after shattering his cheekbone and eye socket, but Meninga will stay loyal to the 31-Test veteran and bring him back for the Kiwis clash.
“Sammy comes back into calculations,” Meninga told News Corp Australia.
“I’ve got no doubt he would have been part of the team in the Four Nations final if he didn’t do his cheekbone.
“He’s a great chance of being picked.”
Cowboys star Johnathan Thurston will also be selected subject to him getting through Friday’s NRL match against Parramatta in Townsville.
Sharks premiership-winner James Maloney is on standby to partner Cooper Cronk in the halves if Thurston is ruled out.
Cowboys centre Justin O’Neill is the leading contender to replace the injured Greg Inglis (knee).
O’Neill played two games during last year’s Four Nations and while he admitted to being down on form in his return from a hamstring injury, his recent time in the Kangaroos set up is an advantage over Will Chambers.
“He (O’Neill) is a bit of a confidence player,” Meninga said.
“He was certainly better on the weekend and hopefully he’ll be better again on Friday (against Parramatta).
“That will put him in a confident frame of mind to come into a Test match.
“We’ve got Will Chambers who has played really well on the right side (for Melbourne) but has played left before (for Queensland).”
Meninga is planning to stay loyal to the majority of the players who smashed New Zealand 34-8 in the Four Nations final.
They will only have five days to prepare for the May 5 Test in Canberra and Meninga is reluctant to tinker with a winning formula on a short preparation.
“The easy part is we’re going to reward the players who played in the Four Nations,” Meninga said.
“That is a really important part of our process.
“It’s a short preparation with a five-day turnaround.
“It can make things very difficult. The preparation beckons for continuity in the team, really. Regardless of form, it’s important the Four Nations guys get the first crack.
“We’ll make some tough decisions at the back end of the year for the World Cup.”
Canberra weapon Josh Papalii has presented an irresistible case for selection after missing the Four Nations tour through injury. Raiders teammate Jarrod Croker was in the mix for Inglis’ left centre berth, however defensive lapses against Manly may have cost him a call-up.