What’s the Buzz: Mal Meninga backs Daly Cherry-Evans and Jake Trbojevic for World Cup tour

Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga insists reports of tension between Manly stars Daly Cherry-Evans and Jake Trbojevic won’t hinder their chances of selection for the World Cup.

Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga.

Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga will ignore reports of a feud between Manly Sea Eagles stars Daly Cherry-Evans and Jake Trbojevic when he sits down with selectors to finalise the Australian side for the World Cup.

Meninga says he is aware of media speculation on the pair’s strained relationship but insists it will not rate a mention inside the selection room.

“To be honest, it’s not my business,” Meninga said.

“I just want the best players wearing the green and gold jersey. And these two are obviously right up there.

Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga. Picture: AAP Image/Chris Pavlich

“You’ve got the right to not get on with people but in footy, you’re on the same side, and you’ve got to be in it together.

“They’re experienced, they’re professional and they understand what it takes to be successful.”

Meninga has led tours to England with both players in previous campaigns.

“We need that experience,” he said. “Chez was at the World Cup in 2013 and Jakey was at the Four Nations in 2016. They know about longish tours away from home.

“It’s about the footy. We don’t even know if it’s true or how strained it is.

“I listen and see what you guys are writing but it won’t affect any decision-making.”

I asked Mal if the Manly stars could be roommates.

Daly Cherry-Evans and Jake Trbojevic celebrate a Kangaroos win in Wollongong. Picture: Jonathan Ng

“No, I think Jakey snores,” he laughed.

There have been reports Cherry-Evans met with Trbojevic brothers Jake and Tom for a clear-the-air chat at Oceans Café in Narrabeen.

While Jake and DCE will never be as tight as others on the Sea Eagles roster, they have agreed to move forward in a professional manner.

Meninga met his selectors Laurie Daley and Darren Lockyer on Thursday to pick the players outside of the top eight for a train-on squad.

ONE-WEEK CONCUSSION STAND-DOWN SAYS TOP DOC

One of Australia’s leading brain injury experts says the NRL should consider introducing a mandatory one-week standdown for concussion.

The rule would have forced South Sydney skipper Cameron Murray to miss the elimination semi against the Roosters because he was knocked out last weekend.

Professor Chris Levi, an NRL consultant, has treated many of the NRL’s biggest names including Roosters five-eighth Luke Keary and Knights skipper Kalyn Ponga.

The debate will fire up again this week after Mitchell Moses was concussed in a tackle that went wrong on Billy Kikau on Friday night.

“I wouldn’t argue against a mandatory one-game standdown,” Dr Levi said. “It would be a reasonable policy decision to make. It takes what could be a difficult clinical judgment out of the equation.

“Conservative is the way to go when there’s any uncertainty.”

Mitchell Moses was concussed after a tackle on Viliame Kikau on Friday night. Picture: Matt King/Getty Images

Professor Levi says players who have suffered multiple concussions, like Murray, would still need to be assessed by experts before the one-week off.

He says it also lowers the risk from players hiding symptoms.

“We rely a lot on self-report in symptom scores and that’s the main weakness of the system,” Professor Levi said. “Players are professional athletes and know the importance of being honest, forthright and truthful.

“However if there’s a situation where there might be a lot riding on the next game, such as in the finals, they may choose not to be 100 per cent truthful. A one-game standdown eliminates those risks.”

Rugby union now has a minimum period of 12 days before a concussed player can return to playing. The NRL will revisit its concussion policy at the end of the season.

Stream every game of every round of the 2022 NRL Telstra Premiership Season Live & Ad-Break Free During Play on Kayo. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >

Originally published as What’s the Buzz: Mal Meninga backs Daly Cherry-Evans and Jake Trbojevic for World Cup tour