One question burning in the wake of Queensland’s State of Origin triumph is whether Daly Cherry-Evans must retain his No.7 Kangaroos jumper for this year’s Rugby League World Cup.
It appears only a matter of time before New South Wales counterpart Nathan Cleary inherits the jersey, but opinion is divided on when the Panthers halfback should receive his shot in green and gold.
Phil Gould described himself as an “unabashed Daly Cherry-Evans admirer” on Nine’s 100% Footy but ultimately backed Cleary to steal the honours, while Paul Gallen said Cherry-Evans’ Maroons heroics should warrant him another World Cup as Australia’s specialist halfback.
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“I think he’s been wonderful for the Sea Eagles, wonderful for Queensland. He’s had his ups and downs, but he’s a really mature, leadership player, and they’re going to need someone like that over in the World Cup, for sure,” Gould said of Cherry-Evans.
“Nathan Cleary hasn’t played in that environment across there, in these types of games, and hasn’t played that Test football.
“You’ve got to take people over there who have done it before.
“I think Cleary by the end of the year will have proven that he deserves to be the halfback, but you need Daly Cherry-Evans in the squad, as well.”
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Australia hasn’t played since losing 16-12 to Tonga in Auckland in November 2019, a week after beating New Zealand 26-4 in Wollongong.
Cherry-Evans partnered Cameron Munster in the halves for both games as a 21-year-old Cleary bided his time.
Gallen put his NSW allegiance to one side in nominating Cherry-Evans over Cleary.
“I hate to admit it but I think it’s going to be DCE,” Gallen said.
“I think DCE at the moment deserves it … there’s so much footy to play between now and then, but I think if we’re regarding State of Origin as a genuine trial game, which it used to be for the Australian team, the fact the Queenslanders won it, DCE played so well (in) games one and three, three in particular … he probably deserves it at the moment, as much as it pains me to say.”
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What Gould and Gallen did agree on was that Tom Trbojevic should not be rushed back into the Kangaroos set-up for the World Cup, set to be played in England across October and November.
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Nine and Sydney Morning Herald journalist Michael Chammas reported that Trbojevic was aiming to have recovered from his shoulder surgery about six weeks before Australia’s opening game.
But Gould declared the Manly maestro was “a million to one” to be selected, and Gallen said picking him would be a poor decision.
“It’s not fair on other players who have played the whole season and it’s just not the right thing to do,” Gallen said.
“It’s not the right thing by him.”
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