Penrith Panthers pair Moylan and Mansour celebrate Kangaroos’ call-up

Panthers Matt Moylan and Josh Mansour celebrate call-up to the Australian Kangaroos for the rugby league Four Nations.

Kristine Tarbert

2 min read

October 16, 2014 - 1:46PM

Penrith Press

Matt Moylan during Penrith Panthers training at Sportingbet Stadium, Penrith. pic Mark Evans

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Penrith Panthers Matt Moylan and Josh Mansour have been selected in the Australian Kangaroos squad for the upcoming rugby league Four Nations tournament.

After a dominant performance for the Panthers during the season and for the Prime Minister’s XIII in PNG last week the pair are looking forward to potentially playing alongside each other.

Panther's Matt Moylan scores a try during the game between the Penrith Panthers and the Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs at ANZ Stadium. (Gregg Porteous)

“I was stoked to get the call from Tim Sheens. I didn’t really think about it in the year. I was focused on playing good footy for Penrith,” Moylan said of his selection.

“It will be unreal if Josh and I were to play for the Kangaroos. It was something we spoke about after the Prime Minister’s XIII game with the Kumuls.”

Panther's fullback Matt Moylan was called up after Jarryd Hayne pulled out of the squad. (Gregg Porteous)

Speaking of Moylan’s selection, Kangaroos coach Tim Sheens praised the Panthers Fullback. “We needed to cover fullback following Jarryd’s withdrawal and Matt has been one of the standout fullbacks during the NRL season,” Sheens said.

“Matt impressed me in PNG with the Prime Minister’s XIII and I’m looking forward to working with him in the Four Nations squad.”

Josh Mansour during Penrith Panthers training at Sportingbet Stadium. (Mark Evans)

In one of the best turnaround stories, three seasons after being told he had no future in the NRL with South Sydney, Josh Mansour was rewarded for his persistence with the call-up and celebrated by trimming his signature beard.

“It is time to shave it off,” he said before he went to the Cut Plus barber shop in Marrickville.

Josh Mansour updates his Instagram followers after his Australian selection.

Josh Mansour shaves his beard.

“There is no greater achievement then putting on the green and gold jersey. I’m looking forward to the challenge and want to make all Panthers fans proud.”

Mansour was also happy about Moylan’s late inclusion in the Kangaroos squad.

“I knew he’d get his opportunity one day. He had an outstanding game against the Kumuls and a remarkable season for the Panthers,” he said.