Kangaroos centre Justin O’Neill wants to show Mal Meninga he belongs

NORTH Queensland centre Justin O’Neill has revealed the sacrifice behind his rapid rise to the Australian Test side.

GIVING up precious moments with his newborn daughter has spurred Justin O’Neill on to claim Australia’s vacant right centre position.

The Cowboys star will get an opportunity in his preferred spot, after making his Test debut at left centre against Scotland.

His inclusion comes at the expense of Josh Dugan, who will be rested when the Kangaroos play the Kiwis on Sunday morning.

While coach Mal Meninga indicated Dugan has the inside running on the right centre spot, O’Neill is intent on producing a strong performance to push his claims.

O’Neill’s daughter Giselle was born in October.

“I want to put my hand up for the spot,” O’Neill said.

“I played a bit of footy on the left for Melbourne but after playing two seasons on the right, I became really familiar with that position and how to defend and attack. I forgot what it was like to be on the left. To be on that side seemed like unfamiliar territory and it was awkward and different.

“(Meninga) said he is still trying to figure out (his best team). He has given us one more game to get his head around what team he wants to put forward if we were to go through the final. There is an opportunity there.”

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O’Neill’s first Test appearance has come at a personal cost. He left wife Chantelle at home, just weeks after she gave birth to their daughter Giselle.

“That was pretty hard,” O’Neill said.

“When we left for Perth I knew I would be away for a week and I made sure my wife and baby daughter would come to Perth before we left so I could see them one more time.

“I just started to feel like I was getting to know her but I had to leave. It was such a massive achievement (to be picked to play) and a great opportunity there wasn’t the thought of not going.

“It would’ve been tougher if we hadn’t had the baby and that I may be missing the chance of the birth of my first child.”

Originally published as Kangaroos centre Justin O’Neill wants to show Mal Meninga he belongs