What’s the Buzz: Mal Meninga happy to pick NSW Blues outcast for Kangaroos
A powerhouse prop who was rejected by the NSW Blues remains firmly in the frame for a spot in Mal Meninga’s Kangaroos squad.
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Mal Meninga doesn’t care about rugby league rumours.
Like everyone else he heard earlier this year that Parramatta Eels forward Reagan Campbell-Gillard had been made a State of Origin outcast because he was unpopular with the Penrith Panthers players in the NSW Blues side.
Blues coach Brad Fittler and his adviser Greg Alexander sacked him from the NSW State of Origin side, preferring Jordan McLean and Jacob Saifiti ahead of him.
Australia’s Kangaroos coach doesn’t care and will make his own judgments.
Meninga is a huge fan of Campbell-Gillard and says he is well in contention for the World Cup at the end of the season, despite the fact the Blues didn’t want him.
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“There were rumours around all the Penrith guys,” Meninga said. “I don’t listen to that stuff. You just pick your best side. Simple as that.
“I worked with Reg in 2017 and found him a fantastic fella and a very good team man. He’s … got experience.
“He’s had a very good season and he’s in the picture, for sure. If you’re playing well at the back of the season it helps.”
When overlooking Campbell-Gillard at the time, Fittler said: “I think Reagan just has a style of footy and right now mostly he doesn’t suit the way we want to play.”
However Blues insiders insist there was more to it.
The Australian side will include a number of Penrith players, including Nathan Cleary, Isaah Yeo and Api Koroisau.
Meninga denies there is a shortage of front-rowers available for selection.
He reels off names such as Payne Haas, Campbell-Gillard, Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, Lindsay Collins, Jai Arrow, Jordan McLean, Jake Trbojevic and Pat Carrigan.
Still, the Kiwis have the awesome foursome in the middle – Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, Joe Tapine, James Fisher-Harris and Nelson Asofa-Solomona.
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Originally published as What’s the Buzz: Mal Meninga happy to pick NSW Blues outcast for Kangaroos
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