Mal Meninga confirms Trent Merrin and Josh Dugan are primed for Australian selection

KANGAROOS coach Mal Meninga says Trent Merrin and Josh Dugan are primed to represent Australia in the Anzac Test against New Zealand despite indifferent club form and injury.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA — APRIL 22: Trent Merrin of the Panthers is tackled during the round eight NRL match between the Parramatta Eels and the Penrith Panthers at ANZ Stadium on April 22, 2017 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Matt Blyth/Getty Images)

KANGAROOS coach Mal Meninga says Trent Merrin and Josh Dugan are primed to represent Australia in the Anzac Test against New Zealand despite indifferent club form and injury.

Questions marks have been raised over Merrin’s place in the Australian side after Penrith’s slow start to the season.

The Panthers have claimed just two wins in 2017 to sit in fourteenth position after eight rounds.

Merrin hasn’t been as damaging as his career-best form from last season.

In 2016, he averaged 155.6 running metres and 34.4 tackles a game.

Flash forward to 2017 and Merrin is averaging 122.4 running metres and 30.4 tackles per match.

Meninga, though, isn’t concerned saying the Penrith lock remains in the box seat to don the green and gold against the Kiwis in Canberra on May 5.

Merrin has struggled so far this season.

“As I’ve always stated, I’m loyal to players who have done the job for me in the past,” Meninga told The Daily Telegraph.

“I’m also loyal to players that are successful as well and that’s regardless of where they are at with club footy.

“Trent is one of those players that we are very happy with and I know how he performed on and off the field over at the Four Nations, so he’ll be rewarded for that.”

From experience, Meninga also knows players struggling at club level can find another level on the representative stage.

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He believes Merrin will be the perfect example despite Penrith’s early season struggles.

“How the club is going is no reflection on how Trent is going,” he said.

“I think Trent has been performing really well, so I’m comfortable in our selection thought process if he is available.

“There is still another game to go (before the Test), but most times a player that’s playing in a club that is not doing so well excels at the representative level.

Dugan has struggled with injury over the last few weeks.

“Because obviously he is playing in a more confident team and I dare say in an Australian side with a better bunch of players.

“So he (Trent) will be looking forward to coming into camp no doubt.”

Meninga feels the same way about Dugan, who will return from a knee injury against the Roosters in the traditional Anzac Day clash.

“Josh is playing and that’s great news for the rep sides,” he said.

“Prior to his injury he was playing incredible footy and was one of the form players in the competition.

“He was the right centre that played in the Four Nations final and played really well by scoring two tries, so he is right in the picture as well.”