Kangaroos prop Jordan McLean must improve against Tonga

AUSTRALIAN front-rower Jordan McLean admits he “wasn’t up to standard” in the shock loss to New Zealand and has vowed to leave his mark against Tonga.

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JORDAN McLean has vowed to leave his mark against Tonga having completed just three runs in Australia’s loss against New Zealand.

While Australia’s extra defensive workload contributed to the 19 metres McLean ran for, he said he needed to do better against a big Tongan side on Saturday night.

Fellow starting prop David Klemmer ran for 132 metres from 11 runs while bench props Jake Trbojevic and Aaron Woods finished with 73 and 66 metres respectively.

“I need to be a lot better,” McLean said.

“I don’t think I was up to standard.

“In that first half I don’t know how many times we defended our try line. When we did have the ball everyone wanted to get in and do a bit which probably didn’t work out the best for us. As a front-rower, it’s your job to go forward. Our starting forwards have to pull their sleeves up.”

Jordan McLean says he needs to do better against Tonga. Picture: AAP

McLean seemed destined to watch the two Test matches from his Townsville home after an injury-plagued debut season at North Queensland. He played just 10 matches for the Cowboys after suffering a serious foot injury in round four.

As a marquee off-season recruit from Melbourne, McLean said he “felt pretty useless” as he watched the Cowboys struggle.

“Going up there was one of the big signings — to get injured after four games was disappointing,” McLean said.

“I felt I like the club down and not being able to play football is disappointing. The toughest thing is not getting injured but not being out there and helping the team get through tough times.

“We had a fairly tough period with the Cowboys not making the finals. It was tougher not being able to help (the team out rather than) being injured.”

Jordan McLean endured a tough debut season with the Cowboys. Picture: Peter Wallis

Originally it was feared the Lisfranc injury would sideline McLean for the rest of the year. But he said he gave no thought of skipping the rest of the 2018 season to focus on next year despite North Queensland being no chance of playing finals football.

The injury still leaves McLean sore for days after matches.

“Everyone wants to play football regardless of playing the finals,” McLean said.

“I felt like I could get back and play a few games and build for the following season. I pushed it a little bit too much times. I managed to work my way through it and get back.

“I didn’t expect to be (picked for Australia) but always grateful to be part of it. I only played a few games but it shows what Mal (Meninga) is about.

“He is pretty loyal.”

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Originally published as Kangaroos prop Jordan McLean must improve against Tonga