Unwanted Thaiday in frame for Kangaroos

AUSTRALIAN coach Mal Meninga has tipped Broncos veteran Sam Thaiday to bounce back from a disappointing month, claiming the underfire forward is in contention for the World Cup.

Thaiday was dumped from the Queensland team for Origins II and III before it was revealed Bris-bane coach Wayne Bennett would not offer the 32-year-old a contract beyond next season.

But Meninga will stand by Thaiday if his form warrants selection come October.

The enforcer played in May’s ANZAC Test and Meninga said he deserved every chance to retain that position.

“He’s the incumbent,” Meninga said. “If he’s playing good footy for the Broncos and they go really deep in the finals, and he’s instrumental in all that, then he’s always in the picture.

“I’m a fan of Sam’s ... he could probably play a bit better but I guess that’s what Wayne is trying to extract out of him.”

It is unclear whether Thaiday will play on in 2019.

Some of the closest options for him would be the Titans and Cowboys, with Gold Coast coach Neil Henry admitting yesterday he thinks Thaiday’s career is far from over.

“He’s certainly a player you’d look at because he’s a classy player,” Henry said.

“I think he can play another couple of years.”

Cowboys coach Paul Green however was more reluctant to talk, saying it was too hard to comment given the uncertainty over the salary cap.

Thaiday will play in tomorrow night’s clash against the Bulldogs, with the return of Origin stars Matt Gillett and Josh McGuire pushing him back to the interchange.