Maroons winger Dane Gagai will make his Test debut for Kangaroos

QUEENSLAND winger Dane Gagai will make his Test debut as Origin teammate Michael Morgan clinched the coveted No. 6 jumper for Australia’s World Cup opener.

Dan Gagai. The Queensland State of Origin side during an opposed session at Sanctuary Cove. Pic Peter Wallis

QUEENSLAND winger Dane Gagai will make his Test debut as Origin teammate Michael Morgan clinched the coveted No. 6 jumper for Australia’s World Cup opener against England this Friday night.

Blake Ferguson’s omission for the World Cup created a vacancy on Australia’s flanks and Gagai will make his green-and-gold debut against the Poms in a wing partnership with fellow Maroons flyer Valentine Holmes.

Gagai’s blooding for Australia caps a dream season for the 26-year-old, who claimed the Wally Lewis Medal in July as Queensland’s best-and-fairest in the Maroons’ epic Origin series defeat of NSW.

The selection of Gagai underlines Australia’s new-look backline, with champion fullback Billy Slater reclaiming his cherished No. 1 jumper from Darius Boyd following his premiership success with the Storm.

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Dan Gagai during a Queensland State of Origin side during an opposed session at Sanctuary Cove. Pic Peter Wallis

And Morgan has won the crucial five-eighth spot, edging out James Maloney and Cameron Munster in the three-way battle to replace injured playmaker Johnathan Thurston.

Gagai has had a superb start to his Origin career, scoring seven tries in as many games, and Australia coach Mal Meninga said he could no longer be ignored after impressing in a hitout against PNG 10 days ago.

“Dane is such a competitor,” Meninga said. “He hates letting the jersey down and that’s what I like about him and what he can bring to the Australian team.

“How hard is it to win the Wally Lewis Medal from the wing? It’s incredible what he did this year, he deserves everything he gets at the moment.

“He played in the team that came last this season (Newcastle) and still stood out.

“That’s the sign of a great player and a quality player.”

Gagai’s NRL career was at the crossroads five years ago when he was sacked by the Broncos following a series of minor disciplinary breaches.,

Ironically, he received a lifeline at the Knights from Wayne Bennett, the very mentor who will attempt to plot the Kangaroos’ downfall as England coach this Friday night at AAMI Park.

“He loves the game,” Meninga said of Gagai. “He has a great passion for the game. He is a great person, he does everything he possibly can to enhance the game which is fantastic. He is great around the group and plays damn good footy.

Dane Gagai is tackled by Jarryd Hayne of the Blues during State of Origin Game 3.

“He is fearless and he is a team player. All of the qualities you want in a player, Dane has got it.”

In other selection news, Josh Dugan has overcome a disappointing end to the season at the Dragons to partner Will Chambers in the centres.

In the forwards, Aaron Woods and David Klemmer clinched starting front-row berths, while Boyd Cordner, Matt Gillett and Jake Trbojevic will form the back row.

Sharks star Wade Graham will fill Morgan’s utility role on the bench, with Broncos lock Josh McGuire returning to the national fold and Cowboys recruit Jordan McLean to make his Test debut.

AUSTRALIAN TEAM: 1. Billy Slater, 2. Dane Gagai, 3. Will Chambers, 4. Josh Dugan, 5. Valentine Holmes, 6. Michael Morgan, 7. Cooper Cronk, 8. Aaron Woods, 9. Cameron Smith (c), 10. David Klemmer, 11. Boyd Cordner, 12. Matt Gillett, 13. Jake Trbojevic. Bench: 14. Wade Graham, 15. Jordan McLean, 16. Josh McGuire, 17. Tyson Frizell.

Originally published as Maroons winger Dane Gagai will make his Test debut for Kangaroos