Kangaroos squad announced: Paul Gallen ‘relieved’ to be dropped

CRONULLA legend Paul Gallen was “relieved” to be a shock omission from Australia’s Four Nations squad that has all-but ended his representative career.

CRONULLA legend Paul Gallen was “relieved” to be a shock omission from Australia’s Four Nations squad that has all-but ended his representative career.

Gallen headed a list of starts, which included James Tedesco, Wade Graham, Josh Jackson, Jack Bird and Corey Parker, who were overlooked for the 24-man squad to tour of England.

Mal Meninga’s new-look squad included seven Australian debutants — Canberra’s Shannon Boyd, Sydney Roosters hooker Jake Friend, St George Illawarra’s Tyson Frizell, Penrith’s Matt Moylan, North Queensland’s Justin O’Neill and Sharks premiership players Valentine Holmes and James Maloney.

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Gallen‘s new ring eased the pain of his Roos snub. Pic: Gregg Porteous.

“I’ll be honest with you, it’s somewhat of a relief,” Gallen said.

“I have been stewing over this for a few weeks now. I’ve got a family I have spent a lot of time away from over the years.

“Don’t get me wrong, I would have loved to have represented Australia again but they have made the decision for me. In the last couple of weeks, I have been talking to my wife (Anne) and close friends and have asked them the question whether I should go.

I love playing for Australia, no doubt about it, but it’s almost a relief that the decision has been taken out of my hands and I haven’t been selected.

“It will now give me a few weeks off to get the body right. I want a fight or two in the off-season.”

Gallen’s NSW vice-captain Robbie Farah, who finished the season in reserve grade for the Wests Tigers, was overtaken as Australia’s No. 2 hooker by Friend, while Maloney’s grand final heroics pushed him past Brisbane’s Anthony Milford.

Canberra pair Jarrod Crocker (knee) and Joey Leilua (hamstring) would have made cases for inclusion had they not been injured, along with Canterbury’s Brett Morris.

Gallen marks his premiership with new ink at Royal Tattoo Studio. Picture: Gregg Porteous.

Gallen had no issues with Meninga taking a view to the future.

“I played 32 Tests for Australia and have only ever lost two of those 32. I finished my last game for Australia (mid-season this year against New Zealand) with a man-of-the-match performance. I’m pretty content with what I have done for Australia,” Gallen said.

“Ultimately it would have been nice to retire on my terms but I have done everything I can for the jumper.”

Meninga rang Gallen and Parker to explain his decision.

“It was tough telling someone they’re not part of something special. I was honest in my conversations,” Meninga said. “Gal is a true professional. He took it on the chin. He understood the situation.

“They have been great servants to the game. They have put the green and gold jersey in high regard but we move on. We have picked a side that we believe are the best players playing the game at the moment and with an eye to the future as well. It was hard, we discussed loyalty, we discussed respect.”

The Sharks skipper has plenty of people on his side. Pic: Gregg Porteous.

Sharks coach Shane Flanagan wasn’t as accepting as his skipper, declaring: “I’m disappointed for Gal.

“They should pick the best players and I know Gal loves the Australian jersey. I reckon they should have picked Gal and Corey Parker.”

Jackson can feel aggrieved after being named NSW’s player-of-the-year for this series.

Asked was Tedesco on the cusp of selection, Meninga said: “Very close. When you sit around a table and try and select 24 players, you have to try and get the mix right, the balance right, positionally you have to get the numbers right. It was very difficult to put all those players in and James was part of that. Unfortunately he missed out.”

Boyd, the hulking Canberra prop, was a selection shock.

“He is a big unit, fast, good mobility and can get the team on the front foot. He has pushed his way into the squad — I think he is tremendous player,” Meninga said.

Australia play a Test against New Zealand on October 15 in Perth.