McLean a sole flag carrier for under- fire Cowboys
COWBOYS prop Jordan McLean is the lone man standing in the way of the club suffering its first Kangaroos selection blackout in 16 years as he looks to end a torrid season on a high note.
The prized off- season recruit has endured a frustrating first year in Townsville after a Lisfranc injury he picked up in Round 4 sidelined him for four months.
The 26- year- old was expected to be out for the year but made a surprise return in last week’s 20- 18 home win against Newcastle.
After making his debut for Australia in last year’s victorious World Cup campaign, McLean has five more matches to convince Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga he is ready to face the Kiwis in Auckland on October 13, with a historic Test against Tonga mooted for the following week.
Cowboys star Michael Morgan is out of contention for Australia after he took advantage of a season- ending bicep injury by undergoing surgery yesterday on stomach and groin issues that have plagued him all year.
With Johnathan Thurston retired from representative duty and Matt Scott also just one game back from a neck issue after missing Origin selection for Queensland, McLean looms as the Cowboys’ only hope.
McLean’s focus is on ensuring the Cowboys finish a nightmare season on a strong note, but he has one eye on a green and gold jumper.
“My job is to go out there and do my role every week and hopefully I can do that,” McLean said.
“If that leads to something else at the end of the season, I’ll grab it with both hands.
“The easy thing to do would be to just go out there and half- heartedly play football each week because we’re not playing semis.
“I want to do my best and if that ( Kangaroos selection) comes at the end of the season, it would be great.”
McLean’s return is timely as the Cowboys’ quest to avoid a first wooden spoon since 2000 enters a tricky period against finals- bound outfits in the Roosters, Brisbane and the Cronulla Sharks.
His size will be crucial against a big Roosters pack set to welcome back Maroons enforcer Dylan Napa from injury.
“The thing for us is not concentrating on them, because most of the games this year we’ve been beating ourselves,” McLean said.