Morgan can hardly believe this is real Cowboys star now Test No. 6
FORMER Townsville Brothers junior Michael Morgan has fulfilled his ultimate childhood dream by being named Australia’s Rugby League World Cup five- eighth.
Cowboys star Morgan saw off strong competition from the Storm’s Cameron Munster and Sharks veteran James Maloney to wear the Kangaroos No. 6 jersey when Australia take on England in Friday night’s World Cup opening game.
Morgan, who becomes Townsville’s first born- andraised player to play at fiveeighth for Australia, takes over the No. 6 duties from Test incumbent and Cowboys teammate Johnathan Thurston. Morgan filled Thurston’s shoes during North Queensland’s NRL finals run.
He now has a massive chance to prove he can be Australia’s long- term successor for Thurston, who has retired from representative rugby league to concentrate on his final NRL season.
But he must prove he can do the job for Australia from game one, with Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga saying every player named in Australia’s World Cup squad would be given an opportunity to play.
Cowboys- bound prop Jordan McLean was also named on Australia’s bench after receiving his maiden Test callup, along with Wade Graham and Dane Gagai.
“I’m under no illusions, there’s plenty of competition,” Morgan said before the announcement yesterday.
“All of my games, bar one, for Australia have been off the bench in a different role, so it’s where I prefer to play.”
Morgan will play alongside incumbent Test halfback Cooper Cronk, whom he has credited with playing a pivotal role in his stellar rise from Thurston’s club offsider to starting Test playmaker.
Morgan revealed Cronk gave him some words of advice during this year’s Anzac Test in Canberra.
“In that Test week, if you had have told me then that I had the opportunity to partner him in the halves in a World Cup, I wouldn’t have thought it was true,” he said.
Morgan recently spoke of his desire to play at fiveeighth despite strong claims by Munster, who helped steer Melbourne to the NRL premiership with their comprehensive grand final win over the Cowboys, and Maloney, who has played two games for Australia.
But it was Morgan’s stellar form and ability to take over the playmaking reins from Thurston at club level that saw him selected.
A strong performance against Wayne Bennett’s England squad would strengthen Morgan cause, but even then he says recent form will not guarantee he retains the No. 6 spot.
“I think more can come into it at times, whether it’s combinations of things like that, or who’s more suited to the team we’re playing against,” Morgan said.
Former North Queensland under- 20s forward Felise Kaufusi, who played alongside Morgan in the Cowboys’ NYC side, was named on Australia’s extended bench for Friday’s tournament opener.
Australia’s 21- man squad will be reduced to a 17- man team an hour before kick- off.