Raiders players to be rewarded for success with representative selection

AUSTRALIAN coach Mal Meninga is ready to end the great Raiders representative snub. So which Canberra players will be wearing the green and gold of the Kangaroos?

AUSTRALIAN coach Mal Meninga is ready to end the great Canberra Raiders representative snub and reward the Green Machine for their deep run into the NRL finals.

Meninga has revealed selectors are closely scrutinising in-form centres Joey Leilua and Jarrod Croker to join Canberra’s only constant representative star of the past five years, Josh Papalii, in the Kangaroos’ 24-man squad for the Four Nations tour in England.

And the Raider revival is unlikely to stop there, with Meninga earmarking five-eighth Blake Austin, prop Shannon Boyd and fullback Jack Wighton for representative honours as early as 2017.

All six Raiders players left Canberra on Wednesday for Melbourne, where the team will set up camp before Saturday night’s grand final qualifier at AAMI Park.

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Joey Leilua in contention for a Kangaroos spot. pic Mark Evans

In a far cry from the 1990s when likes of Meninga, current coach Ricky Stuart, Laurie Daley, Brad Clyde and Gary Belcher dominated Origin and national teams, the Raiders have had just seven representative players in the past nine years.

But, that’s something Meninga sees changing very quickly.

“Yeah, I do,” Meninga said. “For Four Nations this year, Josh Papalii, Joey Leilua, Jarrod Croker, they’ll all be in the mix. They are genuine chances to be selected. Their names are on the selector’s table at the moment.

“I see, potentially, Shannon Boyd, he is of promise, you look at people like Jack Wighton at the back. Blake Austin, if he stays fit and healthy, he has got to be pushing for representative selection shortly.

“The majority of them will be pushing for representative honours, if not this year, certainly next year and years to come.”

Rampaging forward Papalii has been Canberra’s only representative mainstay over the past three years, playing six Origin matches for Queensland and nine Tests.

“Josh Papalii, if he keeps playing the way he is, he’ll be there (at the Four Nations),” Meninga said.

Raiders Josh Papalii will likely feature in the Four Nations for Australia. Picture: Gregg Porteous

“I’ve got no doubt. It will be up to the selectors of course as well as me.

“I think Joey Leilua is pushing for selection this year and Jarrod Croker. Let’s see how it all pans out.”

Calls for Leilua’s section is fast gathering momentum. Physical and skilled, Leilua evokes memories of a young Meninga terrorising opposition defences.

“He’s big, strong and skilful, he’s got good feet If he keeps that attitude, he’s got a fantastic future in front of him,” Meninga said.

“He’s a bit more gregarious than I was. A bit more extroverted than me. But he has been a revelation. That mateship he has built with (winger) Jordan Rapana is paying dividends.

“They way they use BJ is excellent, the way he goes looking for the ball. I don’t know about comparisons. He is doing it on his own.”

Meninga also spoke glowingly of Croker, who wears Meninga’s old Canberra No. 3 jersey.

“Everyone was surprised when Ricky made him captain at such a young age but it hasn’t fazed him,” the three-time premiership winner said.

“He is getting better. He is knocking on the representative door not only with the Australian side but also with NSW. He wouldn’t let anyone down.

Jarrod Croker could earn a Kangaroos call-up. pic Mark Evans

“Jarrod is only 25 years old — his better years are still in front of him. He is the highest pointscorer (for this NRL season) and is going to create all sorts of records down there and in the game itself.”

The Australian side will be announced a day after the NRL grand final.

“The depth of quality is extraordinary,” Meninga said.