Blake Ferguson repaying injured roommate Josh Mansour on and off the field

BLAKE Ferguson may have snatched Josh Mansour’s wing spot but the Kangaroos flanker is doing his bit to try and repay his injured roommate on and off the field.

Josh Mansour and Blake Ferguson are ‘bro-ing’ down on tour. Picture: Brett Costello

BLAKE Ferguson may have snatched Josh Mansour’s wing spot but the Kangaroos flanker is doing his bit to try to repay his injured teammate on and off the field.

The two are roommates and Mansour watched on as Ferguson produced a breakthrough performance on the representative arena, winning man of the match honours in Australia’s 14-8 win against New Zealand on Sunday.

Mansour’s injury paved the way for Ferguson to be rushed back into the Kangaroos side after he was overlooked for selection against the Kiwis with Mansour and Valentine Holmes preferred. Mansour looked to have guaranteed the Kangaroos left ring spot with Holmes and Ferguson locked in a battle for the right side position.

With Mansour debilitated by the freak knee injury it has been left to Ferguson to look out for his wounded teammate.

The injured Josh Mansour and Blake Ferguson have been ‘bro-ing’ down on tour. Picture: Brett Costello

“Putting on his shoes and socks,” Ferguson said. “Little things, helping him out. He can’t move his legs so I’m trying to help him out as much as I can to be honest.

“We’re pretty close. We grew up in the same area. He can’t really do much so I’m trying to give him a hand as much as I can.

“I’m trying to do what you can to help out your mate.”

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Before kick-off against the Kiwis, Mansour — who is still on tour with the side — had a simple message for Ferguson.

“He just said ‘do what you do and don’t over think it’,” Ferguson said. “We’ve played Origin together. We know each other’s games pretty well.”

Ferguson produced a barnstorming performance with Mansour’s advice in the back of his mind. He scored a try and set up another, finishing with a game high 242 metres. It was by far his best performance playing for Australia, cementing his spot on the Kangaroos flank for the remainder of the tournament.

Ferguson seemed undeterred by conjecture surrounding his spot in the side before Mansour’s injury.

The pair room when on tour.

“Every time I’ve played for Australia I haven’t let anyone down,” Ferguson said. “I’m a confident guy. I’m confident in my ability. I’ve been picked for Australia every time this year, it doesn’t do too much for my confidence. It just shows me that I can match it with the best in the world.

“(The performance) gives me something to build on. I want to keep making the same performances each week.

“It’s another stepping stone to where I need to be. I know I’ve got more in me.”

Originally published as Blake Ferguson repaying injured roommate Josh Mansour on and off the field