Cameron Murray heads list of next-generation Kangaroos
Cameron Murray was nervous when he started getting messages so he went online to see what all the fuss was about. Next thing he knew, he was to be Australia’s latest debutant.
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The text messages started coming for Cameron Murray on Monday morning.
It wasn’t until he jumped online and saw his name listed that he finally let himself believe he was a Kangaroo.
The South Sydney junior was one of six debutants named in Australia’s 19-man squad for two Tests against New Zealand and Tonga. For Murray his rise has been meteoric.
He hadn’t even considered Kangaroos selection at the start of this year.
“I set my sights on club footy and hitting some goals there which included playing in the grand final,” Murray said. “I didn’t write down or have a goal to be part of the Kangaroos this year. It’s going to take a while for it to sink in and realise how much of a special occasion the two games will be. I’m just excited.
“To represent my country — it has come much sooner than I would’ve thought. At my age now and only being in the NRL for two full seasons. I’m stoked.
Despite being only 21, Murray is not the youngest of debutants picked. Blues teammates Nick Cotric, 20, and Payne Haas 19, were selected to play their first Tests as was Josh Addo-Carr, Jack Wighton and Paul Vaughan.
Only four Queenslander’s — Daly Cherry-Evans, Ben Hunt, Cameron Munster and Josh Papalii — were selected in a squad which features seven grand final players.
Papalii told coach Mal Meninga he wants to play for Australia despite suggestions he would stick with Samoa. The Raiders player of the year is battling injury with Dale Finucane placed on standby. Roosters premiership winner Luke Keary also needs to be cleared after carrying an ankle injury in recent weeks.
Felise Kaufusi (ribs) and Blake Ferguson (leg) were ruled out while Kangaroos mainstays Josh McGuire and Dane Gagai were dropped.
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The Kangaroos face the Kiwis at WIN Stadium on October 25, followed by Tonga at Eden Park on November 2.
Wighton and Latrell Mitchell will line up in the centres with the Sydney Roosters star earning a representative recall after being dumped by the Blues after just one game this year.
Haas has played 24 games but that didn’t stop Meninga handing the Dally M Rookie of the Year a Test start.
Only Sione Mata'utia (seven games), Brent Tate (16) and David Williams (20) played less games before being handed a Test start in the past two decades.
"It's about picking the best players — that's what the national squad is all about," Meninga said.
"Origin has an impact on that but also club form and premierships and winning grand finals and loyalty.
"There are a whole heap of factors that go to picking a Kangaroos side. We very rarely take a view for the future because we pick who the best is at that time.”
Meninga extended his time as Kangaroos coach until at least the end of 2021 when Australia aim to defend their World Cup title.
Meninga also announced some of the game’s best attacking players in Australia’s nines squad to play at Bankwest Stadium on October 18-19. The likes of Addo-Carr, Clint Gutherson, Kalyn Ponga and Cody Walker have been named.
KANGAROOS SQUAD
Josh Addo-Carr, Daly Cherry-Evans, Boyd Cordner, Damien Cook, Nick Cotric, Tyson Frizell, Wade Graham, Payne Haas, Ben Hunt, Luke Keary, David Klemmer, Latrell Mitchell, Cameron Munster, Cameron Murray, Josh Papalii, James Tedesco, Jake Trbojevic, Paul Vaughan, Jack Wighton
* Dale Finucane on standby for Josh Papalii
NINES SQUAD
Josh Addo-Carr, Jai Arrow, AJ Brimson, Nathan Brown, Kyle Feldt, Tyson Frizell, Reuben Garrick, Wade Graham, Clint Gutherson, Ben Hunt, Mitchell Moses, Ryan Papenhuyzen, Kalyn Ponga, Curtis Scott, Cody Walker
JUNIOR KANGAROOS TEAM TO FACE FRANCE
1 Ryan Papenhuyzen 2 Campbell Graham 3 Curtis Scott 4 Brad Parker 5 Reuben Garrick 6 Kalyn Ponga 7 Brodie Croft 8 Corey Horsburgh 9 Reed Mahoney 10 Thomas Flegler 11 David Fifita 12 Angus Crichton 13 Victor Radley 14 AJ Brimson 15 Nat Butcher 16 Emre Guler 17 Tino Fa’asuamaleaui 18 Paul Momirovski
Originally published as Cameron Murray heads list of next-generation Kangaroos