Cameron Munster – not Nathan Cleary or Daly Cherry-Evans – will wear the Kangaroos’ No.7 jersey at the World Cup.
But before league fans wonder if Australia coach Mal Meninga has outsmarted himself when it comes to the halfback debate, the Herald can reveal the number allocation relates to a new rule by Cup organisers.
Rather than wear a number based on position, players have been given squad numbers for the duration of the Cup.
The easiest option would have been to allocate numbers based on the likely starting 17.
But Kangaroos assistant Michael Hagan devised a system that acknowledged players who had worn the green and gold jersey longest.
James Tedesco is an exception to that rule and will wear the No.1 jersey, not because he is fullback but because he is captain.
Nathan Cleary, Cameron Munster and Daly Cherry-Evans.Credit:NRL Photos
Cherry-Evans received No.2 based on when he made his Kangaroos debut. Ben Hunt will wear No.3 and Valentine Holmes No.4.
Winger Josh Addo-Carr said he would channel his inner-Cameron Smith as the No.9 and tipped Latrell Mitchell to “cop some shit” for wearing the No.8.
Those yet to debut for Australia were allocated numbers in alphabetical order, with Cleary to wear No.14, and starting lock forward Isaah Yeo in No.24.
Cherry-Evans remained hopeful he would challenge Cleary to start at halfback for the first Cup game, and was not prepared to concede defeat to the premiership-winning Panther. The Manly star was worried he would miss out on the Kangaroos squad altogether after the Sea Eagles’ season ended before the finals.
The NSW and Queensland No.7s are in a ding-dong battle for the Kangaroos’ role.Credit:Getty
“It was a really long four weeks watching the NRL finals unfold, and until your name is called out, you just never know,” Cherry-Evans told the Herald.
“The Cup was something I had earmarked for such a long time.
“I honestly don’t know [who will start at halfback in the first game]. Mal has been really open about how close this battle will be.
“We’re going over with no preconceived idea around the halfback situation, and we’ll have to earn our spot in that side.”
Kangaroos Squad Numbers
- James Tedesco
- Daly Cherry-Evans
- Ben Hunt
- Valentine Holmes
- Jake Trbojevic
- Reagan Campbell-Gillard
- Cameron Munster
- Latrell Mitchell
- Josh Addo-Carr
- Jack Wighton
- Cameron Murray
- Matt Burton
- Pat Carrigan
- Nathan Cleary
- Lindsay Collins
- Reuben Cotter
- Angus Crichton
- Tino Fa’asuamaleaui
- Campbell Graham
- Harry Grant
- Liam Martin
- Jeremiah Nanai
- Murray Tuilagi
- Isaah Yeo
Asked how tough it was watching Cleary shine in September, Cherry-Evans said: “Knowing what was on the line, it did make it harder to watch him play so well. But I also know how strong that Panthers side was, and he was always going to be a big part of it.”
Cherry-Evans heads to England on Thursday night knowing there is plenty of uncertainty surrounding Manly and the immediate future of coach Des Hasler.
“I don’t know what’s going on, and as a playing group we’ve understood all we can do is rock up to preseason training and work hard to bring it all back together,” Cherry-Evans said.
“I’ve been in constant contact with Des. I don’t have any special updates. I’m actually trying to distance myself a little bit from it because the more I talk about it, the more people want to have a go at me about it.”
Cherry-Evans said there were no issues with him and Jake Trbojevic, and they had caught up for “a couple of coffee dates” along with fellow Sea Eagle Tom Trbojevic.
“We’ve put together a few ideas about how we want the team to look next year, on the field and off the field,” Cherry-Evans said.
“The three of us are gutted about how last season finished, and we’ve been really proactive about how we can help the team come together and play better footy.”
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