Melbourne dominate Australia’s World Cup squad with seven players named in 24 man squad
THE Melbourne Storm have been rewarded for their barnstorming season with a remarkable seven players to be named in the Australian World Cup squad.
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THE Melbourne Storm have been rewarded for their barnstorming season with a remarkable seven players to be named in the Australian World Cup squad.
Led by captain Cameron Smith, Melbourne’s Magnificent Seven will make up almost one third of the Kangaroos’ 24-man squad to take part in this month’s Rugby League World Cup.
Storm forward Felise Kaufusi has emerged as the bolter in the squad after the 25-year-old played an integral part in Melbourne’s charge towards the NRL premiership.
Kaufusi will join Smith, Billy Slater, Cooper Cronk, Will Chambers, Cameron Munster and Jordan McLean in coach Mal Meninga’s team.
Australian officials were on Monday night attempting to keep their squad secret until Tuesday morning’s announcement, which includes the stunning snub of players’ player champion James Tedesco, who scored a hat-trick in the Prime Minister’s XIII victory over Papua New Guinea last week.
Two-try grand final hero, Storm winger Josh Addo-Carr, and hardworking lock Dale Funicane, were considered but also overlooked from the Storm’s record-equalling call-up.
It is a remarkable yet predictable representation from a truly dominant Melbourne side.
New Zealand-born Kaufusi, 25, moved to Australia as a child and played his junior footy in Bundaberg, Queensland.
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He scored Melbourne’s second try in Sunday’s 34-6 grand final win over North Queensland.
Slater’s Clive Churchill Medal winning performance ensured his three-year exile from representing Australia would end.
Smith, Cronk, Slater, Chambers and Munster were guaranteed selections.
It is the largest club representation for Australia in a post-grand final Test series since, ironically, Melbourne in 2007.
Munster and Cronulla’s James Maloney will both be chosen, along with North Queensland star Michael Morgan.
Morgan is certain to be Australia’s new starting five-eighth.
In other selection news:
· Manly’s Tom Trbojevic won a spot alongside brother Jake;
· St George Illawarra-bound Ben Hunt was chosen as back-up hooker;
· Sydney Roosters winger Blake Ferguson was dumped;
· Aaron Woods beat Dylan Napa for a front-row position; and
· Cronulla’s Wade Graham was an inclusion.
Maloney’s goalkicking will prove invaluable with regular kicker Johnathan Thurston unavailable.
It is understood all players were told of their selection on Monday afternoon ahead of an announcement at Rugby League Central Monday at 9.15am on Tuesday
The announcement of seven players will only add to the celebrations being enjoyed in Melbourne.
Those players to also claim spots include Val Holmes, Dane Gagai, Josh Dugan, Matt Gillett, Josh McGuire, Tyson Frizell, Andrew Fifita, Boyd Cordner and David Klemmer,
Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga and ARLC chairman John Grant will make the announcement on Tuesday morning.
KANGAROOS’ WORLD CUP SQUAD
BACKS: Darius Boyd, Will Chambers, Cooper Cronk, Josh Dugan, Dane Gagai, Valentine Holmes, James Maloney, Michael Morgan, Cameron Munster, Billy Slater, Tom Trbojevic.
FORWARDS: Boyd Cordner, David Klemmer, Andrew Fifita, Tyson Frizell, Matt Gillett, Wade Graham, Ben Hunt, Felise Kaufusi, Josh McGuire, Jordan McLean, Cameron Smith, Jake Trbojevic, Aaron Woods.
Originally published as Melbourne dominate Australia’s World Cup squad with seven players named in 24 man squad