Cherry-Evans to get his Kangaroos chance

[TITAN PETE]

By Liam FitzGibbon
AAP
3:51pm Mon 28th October, 2013


Hurting at being left out of Australia's Rugby League World Cup opener, Daly Cherry-Evans is hungry to seize a huge opportunity over the next fortnight.

The NRL grand final Clive Churchill medallist lost out to Robbie Farah for a spot on the bench in the Kangaroos' 28-20 win over England but will play in Australia's remaining pool games against Fiji, on Saturday, and Ireland next week.

Coach Tim Sheens plans to rotate his halves for the matches, meaning Cherry-Evans will get a chance to shine alongside both Johnathan Thurston and Cooper Cronk.

Should he be chosen to start, the talented halfback would become only the fourth man in almost half a decade to wear the No.6 or No.7 for Australia, with Thurston, Cronk and Darren Lockyer the only three starting halves used in the last 23 Tests.

After another outstanding season for Manly, Cherry-Evans can't wait to add to his one international appearance off the bench against Wales in 2011.

"Any chance you get to represent your country is a huge honour," said Cherry-Evans, who also earned a State of Origin call up for Queensland this season.

"It was tough (missing out against England).

"It's a difficult position to be in not playing. Everyone here, whether it's the first week or the last week, wants to be in the 17 and I was no different.

"Obviously Tim's picked a winning side so I'll have to make sure I take my opportunities when I get the chance."

It's unlikely Cherry-Evans will be able to oust Thurston or Cronk from a starting halves role when Sheens returns to his strongest side for the finals.

But the 24-year-old believes strong performances can make it hard for Sheens to again leave him out of the 17 at the business end of the tournament.

"I definitely see these games as selection trials," Cherry-Evans said.

"I'm excited at the fact I'm playing for my country and also in the back of my mind will be that my performance will be judged.

"Hopefully I can put my best foot forward and be at the forefront of Tim's mind when he's picking the side during the finals."

Cherry-Evans has a niggling thigh problem but said he was available for selection against England and would be fine to face Fiji.

He has never started a match alongside fellow Queenslanders Thurston and Cronk, though he did play alongside the latter during his debut for Australia.

"If I do get named to play in the six or seven next week I'll definitely be excited to play next to either one of those guys," he said.

Sheens is expected to make up to seven changes against Fiji in St Helens, with Boyd Corner and Josh Papalii set for first caps and Michael Jennings and Jarryd Hayne among others to come into the side.

Australia are unlikely to risk forward Sam Thaiday after he suffered a slight concussion in Saturday's win.

Thaiday was on the receiving end of a Sam Burgess high shot and the England prop is likely to learn on Monday if he faces a possible suspension over the incident.

[DIEHARD]

He will be great for the Roos. Also always happy for a Maroon to get some more representative game time.