Daly Cherry-Evans faces an uphill battle to claim Kangaroos spot despite Origin rebirth
DALY Cherry-Evans faces an uphill battle in his fight for the vacant Australian No. 7 jersey, with Kangaroos selectors admitting finals form and loyalty to incumbent players will help shape their squad.
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DALY Cherry-Evans faces an uphill battle in his fight for the vacant Australian No. 7 jersey, with Kangaroos selectors admitting finals form and loyalty to incumbent players will help shape their squad.
The Queensland halfback made a triumphant return to the Origin arena on Wednesday night, playing a starring role as the Maroons spoiled the Blues’ series celebration with a Game Three win.
But Cherry-Evans still has a plenty to prove before he makes a comeback at the international level, having not worn a green and gold jersey since the 2014 Four Nations tournament.
Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga yesterday unveiled his Australian merit team, with Cherry-Evans ineligible for selection given he played just one Origin game.
Meninga and his selectors in Darren Lockyer and Laurie Daley chose Cameron Munster and James Maloney as the halves pairing for the merit side, in what could be a nod to the future given the representative retirements of Johnathan Thurston and Cooper Cronk.
Meninga said, however, that a number of other factors will help the selectors determine their Kangaroos line-up at the end of the year, including loyalty to incumbent squad members — such as Munster and Maloney — and the form of those who feature in this year’s NRL finals.
Given the Sea Eagles need a miracle to make the top eight, Cherry-Evans has a fight on his hands, but Meninga said the Manly halfback had put himself in contention following his Origin III performance.
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“We haven’t made our minds up yet,” Meninga said.
“Origin is a guide and DCE, his performance in Game Three was exceptional.
“But it’s not the only criteria for selection at the end of the year. Loyalty comes into it as well. We haven’t been beaten yet as a group, so that’s an important part of the criteria.
“If there are teams who are playing through the finals series as well, they’re at the forefront of everyone’s minds.
“What we believe is deserving to be in the national team is being the best of the best. There’s a lot of players that have put their hand up in those (halves) positions.”
It is understood that alongside Munster, Maloney and Cherry-Evans, NSW playmaker Nathan Cleary is also in the frame.
Meninga said he will eventually ring Queensland coach Kevin Walters and NSW mentor Brad Fittler to discuss the players for their end-of-season clash against New Zealand, with another Test match against Tonga also being considered.
However, Meninga said he has already received plenty of positive feedback about Cherry-Evans’ return to the Queensland side following his three-year Origin exile.
KANGAROOS MERIT TEAM
1. Billy Slater QLD
2. Tom Trbojevic NSW
3. Greg Inglis QLD
4. Latrell Mitchell NSW
5. Josh Addo-Carr NSW
6. Cameron Munster QLD
7. James Maloney NSW
8. David Klemmer NSW
9. Damien Cook NSW
10. Josh McGuire QLD
11. Boyd Cordner NSW
12. Tyson Frizell NSW
13. Jake Trbojevic NSW
14. James Tedesco NSW
15. Jack de Belin NSW
16. Josh Papalii QLD
17. Paul Vaughan NSW
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