Kangaroos Watching: Five Origin Stars That Boosted World Cup Hopes

With the World Cup coming to a close at the end of the season, Origin form will have a significant impact on the Kangaroos squad roster and a handful of players increased their chances in the series opener.

While James Tedesco and Cameron Munster are considered certain selections, most positions are up for grabs as Australia has not played a test since 2019 due to the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.

NSW coach Brad Fittler and his Queensland counterpart Billy Slater will help Kangaroos mentor Mal Meninga select the squad at the end of the season and they will pay close attention to how players perform in Origin and finals

1. Selwyn Cobbo

The Broncos winger, who turned 20 just days ago, wasn’t even on the radar for Origin roster at the start of the season, but now, after 19 NRL appearances and one appearance in a Maroon shirt, Cobbo is said to be can pack suitcases at the end of the season. The season.

Blues coach Brad Fittler had warned Cobbo before the game by warning on Origin that he would be tested in the predicted windy conditions by Nathan Cleary’s kick game, but he handled everything thrown at him, and more.

With the game evenly tied, Cobbo made a crucial try for Dane Gagai just before half-time after dancing along the west sidelines of Accor Stadium and kicking in for his partner on the right.

2. Jack Wighton

Brad Fittler’s selection of Wighton at center was widely criticized before the game by those who thought the NSW coach should have paired Stephen Crichton with his Penrith teammate Brian To’o on the left, but he was arguably the best player on the block. the blues.

No matter what number Wighton has on his back, the Raiders five-eighth plays the same and he claimed Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga would include him somewhere in the World Cup squad.

Wighton scored a try and posed a constant threat to the Maroons’ defenses, producing a sharp defence.

3.Valentine Holmes

The last game Holmes played before leaving the Sharks at the end of the 2018 season to stand a chance in the NFL was a Test against Tonga and the Kangaroos have not played since his return in 2020.

With Tom Trbojevic ruled out of the World Cup after a shoulder reconstruction, Holmes has found himself in contention for a central spot after carrying his form with the Cowboys in the Origin arena.

Holmes scored a try, scored two goals and carried the ball 150 yards, but his biggest contribution was arguably running back to clear a James Tedesco kick with Nathan Cleary and Damien Cook hitting the ball hard in the 70th minute. hunted.

4. Daly Cherry-Evans

If a Kangaroos team had been selected at the end of last season Nathan Cleary would have had a chance to capture Cherry-Evans’ No. 7 jersey, but the Sea Eagles and Maroons captain made a strong case as to why he should continue to determine conscription. at the World Cup.

Cleary was below par for the Blues, but Cherry-Evans put in his best performance of the season when it counted.

In addition to scoring a try in the second half, Cherry Evans finished with 25 tackles and made 420 yards from 13 punts to keep the pressure on the Blues.

5. Harry Grant

The Storm whore played 43 minutes from the crossroads for Queensland and his introduction to the fray midway through the first half helped turn the momentum of the game.

The Blues were at the top in the early stages, but Grant and substitute Patrick Carrigan ramped up the pace and intensity for the Maroons and NSW struggled to keep up.

Grant made eight runs from the dummy half for 70 yards and his four tackle breaks were second only to Storm teammate Cameron Munster, whom he helped energize to a man-of-the-match performance for Queensland.

It seems only a matter of time before Grant takes over the Australian No. 9 jersey, but the biggest question for Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga will be whether that happens at the World Cup or whether he will team up with Ben Hunt or Damien Cook.