mt.wellington
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mt.wellington
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Kangaroos name Storm-dominated squad for Rugby League World Cup
Updated Tue at 1:15pm
PHOTO: Their stunning finals form has seen Jordan McLean and Felesi Kaufusi called up to the Kangaroos' squad. (AAP)
Melbourne Storm forwards Felise Kaufusi and Jordan McLean's stunning finals form has earned them a call-up to Australia's Rugby League World Cup squad.
Ahead of the opening October 27 clash with England at AAMI Park, Test coach Mal Meninga confirmed a squad brimming with storm talent, including the 'Big Three' of Billy Slater, Cooper Cronk and Cameron Smith, who will be playing alongside each other in the same team for the last time.
Kangaroos squad
The Kaufusi selection is the biggest surprise, but Meninga insists the Storm second-rower deserved recognition for an outstanding season with the NRL premiers.
"Breakout year, on the verge of making Origin this year, 18th man for Queensland, outstanding back end of the year," Meninga said.
"Combinations, cohesions with Cooper [Cronk] and Will Chambers on that right edge for the Storm. He's a big body, can play in the middle, he helps balance the footy team out."
Meninga also said it was difficult to pick Tedesco, who is now likely to turn out for Italy, ahead of Slater, Darius Boyd and the more versatile Trbojevic and Gagai.
"We've got a great array of full-backs playing our competition at the moment and we've got the Clive Churchill full-back in Billy Slater. He had a terrific Origin series," Meninga said.
"We've got the incumbent in Darius Boyd; never lost a Test match in the green and gold jersey.
"There was just such a difficult decision but I think it come down to the versatility and around the ability to play a number of positions."
The only omitted player Meninga called was Ferguson.
"Obviously he was clearly upset. He's been a great player for the green and gold but I had to be honest with him around his form and he accepted that. We move on," he said.
Kaufusi made his NRL debut only two years ago but has enjoyed a steady rise in the game after being named as the Morons' 18th man in the 2017 State of Origin series.
McLean was also Origin 18th man — for New South Wales — and will be moving from the Storm to beaten grand finalists the Cowboys next season.
Slater's recall sees him pull on the Kangaroos jersey for the first time in three years in a period where he has battled shoulder injuries and the form of Darius Boyd, who has also been named.
Australia's other World Cup pool matches will be against France in Canberra and Lebanon in Sydney.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-10-03/melbourne-storm-dominate-kangaroos-world-cup-squad/9009848
Updated Tue at 1:15pm
PHOTO: Their stunning finals form has seen Jordan McLean and Felesi Kaufusi called up to the Kangaroos' squad. (AAP)
Melbourne Storm forwards Felise Kaufusi and Jordan McLean's stunning finals form has earned them a call-up to Australia's Rugby League World Cup squad.
Ahead of the opening October 27 clash with England at AAMI Park, Test coach Mal Meninga confirmed a squad brimming with storm talent, including the 'Big Three' of Billy Slater, Cooper Cronk and Cameron Smith, who will be playing alongside each other in the same team for the last time.
Kangaroos squad
- Billy Slater, Darius Boyd, Will Chambers, Dane Gagai, Tom Trbojevic, Josh Dugan, Valentine Holmes, Cooper Cronk, Cameron Munster, Michael Morgan, James Maloney, Aaron Woods, David Klemmer, Josh McGuire, Andrew Fifita, Jake Trbojevic, Jordan McLean, Boyd Cordner, Matt Gillett, Tyson Frizell, Wade Graham, Felise Kaufusi, Cameron Smith, Ben Hunt.
The Kaufusi selection is the biggest surprise, but Meninga insists the Storm second-rower deserved recognition for an outstanding season with the NRL premiers.
"Breakout year, on the verge of making Origin this year, 18th man for Queensland, outstanding back end of the year," Meninga said.
"Combinations, cohesions with Cooper [Cronk] and Will Chambers on that right edge for the Storm. He's a big body, can play in the middle, he helps balance the footy team out."
Meninga also said it was difficult to pick Tedesco, who is now likely to turn out for Italy, ahead of Slater, Darius Boyd and the more versatile Trbojevic and Gagai.
"We've got a great array of full-backs playing our competition at the moment and we've got the Clive Churchill full-back in Billy Slater. He had a terrific Origin series," Meninga said.
"We've got the incumbent in Darius Boyd; never lost a Test match in the green and gold jersey.
"There was just such a difficult decision but I think it come down to the versatility and around the ability to play a number of positions."
The only omitted player Meninga called was Ferguson.
"Obviously he was clearly upset. He's been a great player for the green and gold but I had to be honest with him around his form and he accepted that. We move on," he said.
Kaufusi made his NRL debut only two years ago but has enjoyed a steady rise in the game after being named as the Morons' 18th man in the 2017 State of Origin series.
McLean was also Origin 18th man — for New South Wales — and will be moving from the Storm to beaten grand finalists the Cowboys next season.
Slater's recall sees him pull on the Kangaroos jersey for the first time in three years in a period where he has battled shoulder injuries and the form of Darius Boyd, who has also been named.
Australia's other World Cup pool matches will be against France in Canberra and Lebanon in Sydney.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-10-03/melbourne-storm-dominate-kangaroos-world-cup-squad/9009848
mt.wellington
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Mal Meninga apologises after Sam Thaiday slams Australian selectors
Paul Crawley, The Daily Telegraph
October 4, 2017 1:02pm
Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga has apologised to Sam Thaiday.
AN “embarrassed” Mal Meninga has contacted Sam Thaiday and apologised unreservedly for not giving the veteran forward the courtesy of a phone call before Thaiday found out he had been dumped from the Kangaroos World Cup squad.
Thaiday took to social media on Tuesday night to express his hurt and anger at the snubbing, slamming Meninga and the Test selectors, declaring “you’d expect to be treated with a bit more decency and respect”.
Meninga told The Daily Telegraph he contacted Thaiday on Tuesday night as soon as he was made aware of the comments.
“I talked to him last night and deeply apologised,” Meninga said.
“It was an oversight.
“I agree with him.
“It wasn’t a respectful thing to do.
“I put my hand up and apologised.
“I’m not on social media but the word got to me so I called and I couldn’t be more apologetic.
“I agreed with his sentiments.
“He has been a great warrior for the game, he deserved more respect that what I gave him.”
Meninga admitted Thaiday was still hurt when they spoke.
“He vented a bit because it has been a tough year for him,” Meninga continued.
“I said I understand all that.
“I am embarrassed by it because that is not me, it was just a complete oversight.
“He has been a huge part of our resurrection around the Kangaroos, around the RISE.
“Part of our RISE is respect.
“I didn’t uphold that with him so I am very remorseful.
“I wish I would have called him.”
Sam Thaiday during Brisbane Broncos training.
Thaiday, a member of this year’s Anzac Test side and the player behind the Kangaroos’ new ‘Rise’ catchcry, says he wasn’t told of being dumped from the green and gold, and only found out he was overlooked when the 24-man squad was leaked the night before Tuesday’s official announcement.
“Aussie Aussie Aussie ... No, No, No. So it’s official — the end of my 2017 Rugby League year. Who would’ve thought this year would be the last time I played for both QLD and Australia,” Thaiday wrote on Instagram with a photo of him in Kangaroos colours.
“A bit of respect would’ve been nice ... to at least receive a phone call and learn about selection that way instead of through a leaked report from the media on last night’s news.”
Meninga said he also spoke to Thaiday about his future representative hopes, and told him not to give up hope of playing rep footy again next year.
“He is still playing well and it doesn’t mean to say he won’t get back in the rep scene next year,” Meninga said.
“We had that conversation as well.”
https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/s...s/news-story/411f515311cfa6e5ad4f78f6e663692d
Paul Crawley, The Daily Telegraph
October 4, 2017 1:02pm
Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga has apologised to Sam Thaiday.
AN “embarrassed” Mal Meninga has contacted Sam Thaiday and apologised unreservedly for not giving the veteran forward the courtesy of a phone call before Thaiday found out he had been dumped from the Kangaroos World Cup squad.
Thaiday took to social media on Tuesday night to express his hurt and anger at the snubbing, slamming Meninga and the Test selectors, declaring “you’d expect to be treated with a bit more decency and respect”.
Meninga told The Daily Telegraph he contacted Thaiday on Tuesday night as soon as he was made aware of the comments.
“I talked to him last night and deeply apologised,” Meninga said.
“It was an oversight.
“I agree with him.
“It wasn’t a respectful thing to do.
“I put my hand up and apologised.
“I’m not on social media but the word got to me so I called and I couldn’t be more apologetic.
“I agreed with his sentiments.
“He has been a great warrior for the game, he deserved more respect that what I gave him.”
Meninga admitted Thaiday was still hurt when they spoke.
“He vented a bit because it has been a tough year for him,” Meninga continued.
“I said I understand all that.
“I am embarrassed by it because that is not me, it was just a complete oversight.
“He has been a huge part of our resurrection around the Kangaroos, around the RISE.
“Part of our RISE is respect.
“I didn’t uphold that with him so I am very remorseful.
“I wish I would have called him.”
Sam Thaiday during Brisbane Broncos training.
Thaiday, a member of this year’s Anzac Test side and the player behind the Kangaroos’ new ‘Rise’ catchcry, says he wasn’t told of being dumped from the green and gold, and only found out he was overlooked when the 24-man squad was leaked the night before Tuesday’s official announcement.
“Aussie Aussie Aussie ... No, No, No. So it’s official — the end of my 2017 Rugby League year. Who would’ve thought this year would be the last time I played for both QLD and Australia,” Thaiday wrote on Instagram with a photo of him in Kangaroos colours.
“A bit of respect would’ve been nice ... to at least receive a phone call and learn about selection that way instead of through a leaked report from the media on last night’s news.”
Meninga said he also spoke to Thaiday about his future representative hopes, and told him not to give up hope of playing rep footy again next year.
“He is still playing well and it doesn’t mean to say he won’t get back in the rep scene next year,” Meninga said.
“We had that conversation as well.”
https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/s...s/news-story/411f515311cfa6e5ad4f78f6e663692d
Last edited:
mt.wellington
Warriors Orange Peeler
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bruce
The Aussies are going to kick arse. They must be laughing their cocks off over Bromwich, Proctor and Taumalolo.
Hardyman's Yugo
The best thing that could happen in this tournament would be if England managed to beat Australia first game up, would shake the whole thing up. We won't though unless Australia turn up desperately complacent and cock it up. I wasn't keen on the Bennett appointment, I think they should have stuck with Steve Mac, I think the whole Bennett experiment could go tits up
bruce
Mate the Chooms are paying away from home. In the old days they turned up to play, even when they lost, this isn't the old days.
AlexM
I can't see Aus not winning really. A bit predictable , would love to see Wayne smile if he beat mal
Miket12
Can’t see the Aussies doing very well without Lillyman or Hoffman!!!
mt.wellington
Warriors Orange Peeler
Contributor
Kangaroos to win the RLWC without really being tested. May as well engrave their name on it now...
bruce
One thing I can guarantee 150% is that Brian Smith will not be giving up, especially on England. That guy has a real cold streak about him. He is a better coach than Mel Meninga. We have some good young talent there, he will be priming them to their best. Kidwell might be the best smokescreen there has ever been,
mt.wellington
Warriors Orange Peeler
Contributor
Was a game. Can't help but feel that England squandered a lot of their chances. For the most part they kept up with the Kangaroos and the pace of game was insane. Both teams looking to go deep with the Aussies only getting better and better. Still can't see them getting beaten but 2008 showed us that their stacked teams aren't unbeatable...
Stalefish540
I still think when the going gets tough the miss JT. That was not Englands best, fairly unpolished really they will grow as the tournament goes on. This could be more interesting than people think.
Viking
Slater was the difference, Aussies attack was nothing special, their first two tries came from Englands mistakes.
How good was having one ref and the game flowing rather than the constant flow of penalties.
Australia looked very beatable. I think Cronk has peaked and is on the way out. Slater was the difference between the two teams. England way too many mistakes. If they got equal share of territory and possesion they would of put them away.
Australia looked very beatable. I think Cronk has peaked and is on the way out. Slater was the difference between the two teams. England way too many mistakes. If they got equal share of territory and possesion they would of put them away.
jonesy101
Michael Morgan had a really quiet night too. Gagai and Holmes were solid. England definitely had the measure of the Kangaroos forward pack.
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