Manly’s young phenom Tom Trbojevic pushes Blake Ferguson out of Australia’s World Cup squad

MANLY’S boom fullback Tom ‘Turbo’ Trbojevic has won a position in the Kangaroos World Cup squad at the expense of Roosters star Blake Ferguson.

The Australian Prime Minister's XIII rugby league team training at Jones Park in Cairns. Tom Trbojevic. PICTURE: STEWART McLEAN

MANLY’S boom fullback Tom ‘Turbo’ Trbojevic has won a position in the Kangaroos World Cup squad at the expense of Roosters star Blake Ferguson.

Coach Mal Meninga will reveal his 24-man squad for the tournament Tuesday morning including the dumping of Ferguson, who was the Harry Sunderland Medal winner on the Kangaroos last tour of Great Britain.

Selectors insist the decision to overlook Ferguson had nothing to do with his off-field behaviour.

He infamously spent a day on the booze at the Lennox Heads Hotel with best mate Josh Dugan before the NSW Blues lost the final State of Origin game this year.

Ferguson had an uneven finish to the season.

The Daily Telegraph understands Dugan has retained his position in the team.

Meninga was more concerned about Ferguson’s recent form.

Many believe he cost the Roosters the grand final qualifier against the Cowboys with a crucial knock-on bringing the ball back from deep in his own territory.

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There’s no question Trbojevic deserves his position despite never playing State of Origin.

In recent times Shannon Boyd, Valentine Holmes, Jake Friend and Jake Trbojevic and Dave Klemmer have all played for their country before State.

Trbojevic has been picked more as a winger with Holmes and South Sydney’s new recruit Dane Gagai.

Tom joins his older brother Jake in the Kangaroos squad.

Gagai will deservedly make his Kangaroos debut after winning the Wally Lewis Medal as the best player in State of Origin.

The Daily Telegraph can also reveal Cronulla Sharks five-eighth James Maloney will retain his position in the squad, despite his indifferent form towards the end of the season.

Meninga is a fan because of his proven record in big games and the fact he has won two grand finals.

While Cooper Cronk and Michael Morgan will be the starting halves both Maloney and Storm’s Cameron Munster are there as back-up.

Maloney’s goalkicking as a back-up to Cameron Smith convinced the selectors to stick with him.

Originally published as Manly’s young phenom Tom Trbojevic pushes Blake Ferguson out of Australia’s World Cup squad