Daly’s plan to remain cherry ripe pays off

DALY Cherry-Evans was so committed to breaking into the Australian side that he refused to book holidays following his NRL season and has been training by himself for weeks to stay in shape.

Cherry-Evans was given due reward for his determination yesterday when he was named as captain in Mal Meninga’s Prime Minister’s XIII to take on Papua New Guinea in Port Moresby on Saturday week.

With long-time Australian halves Cooper Cronk and Johnathan Thurston bowing out of rep football, spots are up for grabs for the Kangaroos’ upcoming Tests against New Zealand and Tonga.

“I certainly understand the situation with such amazing footballers retiring from rep football, the opportunity is massive and I’ve been lucky enough to get first opportunity with the prime minister’s side,” Cherry-Evans said.

“That’ll be in the best interests of me trying to get on the tour.”

Cherry-Evans has been named in the halves alongside North Queensland youngster Jake Clifford, with Ben Hunt listed at hooker.

No Gold Coast Titans player made the squad.

The Manly skipper is one of a number of potential Australian players in the 20-man team to battle the Kumuls along with Jake Trbojevic, Reagan Campbell-Gillard, Tyson Frizell, Aaron Woods and David Klemmer.

Meninga has also included a sprinkling of unheralded young talent including Corey Allan and Gehamat Shibasaki (Broncos), Zac Lomax and Reece Robson (Dragons) and Enari Tuala (Cowboys).

After Manly’s failure to make the top eight, CherryEvans gave himself a few weeks off to rest some niggling injuries but got back on the training paddock and in the gym just in case he received a call-up from Meninga.

Prime Minister’s XIII: Corey Allan (Broncos), Zac Lomax (Dragons), Jesse Ramien (Sharks), Brian Kelly (Sea Eagles), Nick Cotric (Raiders), Jake Clifford (Cowboys), Daly Cherry-Evans (Sea Eagles), David Klemmer (Bulldogs), Ben Hunt (Dragons), Jordan McLean (Cowboys), Tyson Frizell (Dragons), Tyrone Peachey (Panthers), Jake Trbojevic (Sea Eagles). Bench: Aaron Woods (Sharks), Reagan Campbell-Gillard (Panthers), Matt Prior (Sharks), Chad Townsend (Sharks), Gehamat Shibasaki (Broncos), Reece Robson (Dragons), Enari Tuala (Cowboys).