ROOS CREW NO CERTAINTY FOR BLUES DUTIES
YOU may be a Roo, but not necessarily a Blue.
NSW coach Laurie Daley has stressed that the nine players chosen in coach Mal Meninga’s extended Kangaroos squad aren’t guaranteed selection in the NSW side.
Meninga yesterday named a powerful yet predictable 20-man Test squad to play New Zealand in Canberra tomorrow week.
The squad boasts nine NSW players – Blake Ferguson, Josh Dugan, Aaron Woods, David Klemmer, Boyd Cordner, Trent Merrin, Tyson Frizell, Shannon Boyd and James Maloney.
Daley said that being chosen for Australia didn’t mean automatic selection in the NSW side for State of Origin I on May 31.
“No one is guaranteed,” Daley said.
“When you play for Australia, you have to perform. But that doesn’t necessarily mean you’re going to play for NSW. There are different selectors and different points of view on who should be there and who shouldn’t.”
With a short preparation and possibly only two training sessions, Meninga essentially stuck solid with the team which won last year’s Four Nations final.
Many fans have questioned Merrin’s selection given he has struggled for Penrith this season, and Cronulla’s Wade Graham was considered unlucky to miss out. Boyd may also struggle to find a place in Origin I, while Maloney will be heavily considered for NSW.
Meninga defended Merrin’s selection.
“Trent is playing in a team that is struggling. I still think he is trying hard,’’ Meninga said.
“His efforts with the ball and in defence are pretty good.”