Daly Cherry-Evans ready to emerge from a year of ‘lowlights’ with Kangaroos jersey

AFTER a season Daly Cherry-Evans admits has ‘had a lot of lowlights’, the Manly fullback looks set to finish on a high with a recall to the Australia No.7 jersey in the PM’s XIII.

It’s been a rollercoaster year at Manly. (Matt King/Getty Images)

• Shock selections for PM’s XIII
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DALY Cherry-Evans is set to emerge for a year which has had a “lot of lowlights” by reclaiming his Australian jersey.

The Manly halfback has been named to captain the Prime Minister’s XIII side in PNG next Sunday and barring injury he will be part of the Australian 19-man squad to play New Zealand and Tonga next month.

Injury has ruled James Maloney out of the Kangaroos side leaving Cherry-Evans to partner Cameron Munster in the halves, ending his four year Test exile. It comes after Cherry-Evans stared for Queensland in Origin III in what was his first game for the Maroons since 2015.

DCE with Mal Meninga, prime minister Scott Morrison and Chad Townsend. (Richard Dobson)

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“In a year that has had a lot of lowlights this would cap off a really crazy year,” Cherry-Evans said. “It’s certainly something I’ve never lost sight of. The captaincy part was unexpected but it’s a massive privilege to earn my way back into the side which has been a major focus in the past 12 months.

“After having the opportunity to play rep footy again through Queensland, to try and make Australia was next on the agenda.

“As soon as I got into the Origin arena (I started thinking about Test football). I know how much that influences Australian selection. If you can play well at that level it can hold you in good stead to play well again for further rep honours.”

It’s been a rollercoaster year at Manly. (Matt King/Getty Images)

Australian coach Mal Meninga all but guaranteed Cherry-Evans’ spot.

It comes as the 29-year-old’s Manly side await a determination on their salary cap position that could be handed down as soon as Thursday, suggesting the club may receive little relief from the $750,000 fine handed down in March.

They are also yet to finalise their coaching situation for next season with Michael Maguire now looming as the favourite.

A Maroons return showed DCE is rediscovering his best form. (AAP Image/Dave Hunt)

“I have no clue,” Cherry-Evans said about who will coach the side next year. “I won’t say I’m worried about it. But you have to wonder how many weeks have to pass before we know what’s going on.

“I hope whatever changes are made — if there are changes — they are done sooner rather than later so we can move on as a club. I don’t even know who is in contention.

“I spoke to Trent (Barrett) this morning. I still have contact. I dare say I will for the rest of my career,

“His footy brain is second to none. It would be naive of me not to tap into his resources and knowledge of the game.”

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Cherry-Evans will skipper a side mixed with Kangaroo hopefuls and emerging players. The forward pack is strong with the likes of David Klemmer, Jake Trbojevic, Aaron Woods, Tyrone Peachey, Ben Hunt and Tyson Frizell playing.

Scott Morrison was the first Prime Minister to announce the side since 2005 and played a part in team selection.

“It was good he had some say,” Meninga said. “He is a Sharks fan and he wanted a few Sharks players in there. As it panned out we were able to help him with that.”
An Australian PM’s women’s side will also take on PNG.

AUSTRALIAN PM’S XIII MEN’S SQUAD

1 Corey Allan, 2 Zac Lomax, 3 Jesse Ramien, 4 Brian Kelly, 5 Nick Cotric, 6 Jake Clifford, 7 Daly Cherry-Evans, 8 David Klemmer, 9 Ben Hunt, 10 Jordan McLean, 11 Tyson Frizell, 12 Tyrone Peachey 13 Jake Trbojevic . Interchange: 14 Aaron Woods, 15 Reagan Campbell-Gillard, 16 Matt Prior, 17 Chad Townsend, 18 Gehamat Shibasaki, 19 Reece Robson, 20 Enari Tuala.

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Originally published as Daly Cherry-Evans ready to emerge from a year of ‘lowlights’ with Kangaroos jersey