COLUMN
Even though I’ve known for a few weeks I’d be captaining Australia, it only really hits when you pull on the jersey, lead the boys out and sing the anthem.
It’s an immensely proud feeling to stand there alongside your teammates wearing the green and gold.
Captaining the Kangaroos is such an incredible privilege but it’s also been quite easy so far because I’m surrounded by the best players in the world.
Watch every match of the Rugby League World Cup LIVE & Exclusive to Fox Sports, on Kayo. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >
It’s not just their talent either. Sometimes at club level it’s hard to find voices because guys won’t speak up and lead, but at this level everyone talks.
I don’t have to stress about the boys doing their jobs because they’ve been doing it week in, week out for years, and that’s why they’re in the team.
Our training sessions have been running like a well-oiled machine and one the best battles taking shape is between our halfbacks.
Nathan Cleary and Daly Cherry-Evans are probably the two best No. 7s in the world and they just both happen to play for Australia.
MORE NRL NEWS
BEST 17: Mal has one game to settle on his team. Here’s who is vying for each position
‘DEATH THREATS’: Manly star reveals backlash following pride jersey saga
POWER RANKINGS: Cleary’s clinic keeps Kangaroos on top; Samoa finds groove
‘CAN’T DO THAT’: Brutal shot from 115kg PNG enforcer preludes brain explosion
EARLY MAIL: ‘It was a bad one’: Cotter cleared for final Kangaroos group game
DCE got first crack in our opener and he played really well making sure we got the job done against a determined Fijian side.
Nath then carved up Scotland, who to be fair were a lesser opponent, but he controlled the game so well and created a lot of opportunities.
Daly has experience on his side, he won the World Cup here in England back in 2013, and has been a massive help for me on my first Kangaroos tour.
I think both boys will get a chance this weekend against Italy and then we’ll make a decision for the quarters, but I’m honestly not sure which way Mal is leaning.
They’re both more than capable of winning games for Australia and whoever gets the nod will do us proud.
We’ve got a few games to go first but we’re on a collision course with the Kiwis for the semi-finals, which should be one of the games of the tournament.
MORE NRL NEWS
COP THAT: Kristie Fulton breaks silence with parting swipe at Manly after brutal axing
‘HE’S DONE’: Griffin on the chopping block as damning promise revealed
‘SHAKING THEIR HEADS’: Bunker blunder stuns WC as ugly tackle ignites clash
WHISPERS: Knights push for Garrick’s release as Dogs snare Titans powerhouse
They’ll be a big test for us and I still remember Benji Marshall’s New Zealand side beating us in the 2008 World Cup final – so we’ll have to be on our game.
England are the other standout side. Australia only narrowly beat them in the last World Cup final and this time they’re hosting which makes them extra dangerous.
I’ve been watching a fair few of the games over here and it’s great to see my Roosters teammates doing well for their respective countries.
Joseph Suaalii has been playing fullback for Samoa and they had a rough start in their first game against England, which was surprising, but they bounced back really well.
If you give Suaalii the ball he’s going to create something, he ran for almost 300 metres in their second game against Greece as Samoa racked up the points.
Sin bins galore in wild World Cup clash | 01:12
MORE NRL NEWS
WHAT EVERY NRL CLUB NEEDS BEFORE RD1: Gaping holes everywhere
EVERY CLUB’S PREDICTED BREAKOUT STAR: Prodigy to fix Reynolds problem
TRANSFERS GRADED: Stars who made a mockery of critics… and the big four fails
Another Roosters teammate having a great World Cup is Angus Crichton, who put pen to paper on an extension that will keep him at the club until the end of 2024.
I know they’ve been trying to sort it out a while now and I’m glad they have because he’s a huge part of our team and future.
His back end of the year for the Roosters was immense and he’s turning into quite the leader Angus, he’s also really confident within this Kangaroos side.
We’re based in Manchester and it’s been great, nobody notices us too much over here and we’ve been out and about exploring the city.
‘Bounced it for sure!’: Knock on or try? | 00:57
MORE NRL NEWS
‘A LOT OF INTEREST’: Burton set to be next $1m man, Dogs face battle to keep star
‘I WAS KEEN’: Sharks legend’s heartbreaking retirement, despite interest to play on
DREAM TEAM: Flanagan set to join Seibold’s Manly pending release as clause revealed
TRANSFER CENTRE: Panthers sign Broncos forward and former Bulldogs halfback
We went to Edinburgh last weekend which was awesome and I’m looking forward to getting back to Leeds where Italy was based when I was playing for them at the 2013 World Cup.
This Australian squad is just full of great blokes, there’s a lot of guys I’ve never met before but we all get along really well and that’s really important at a World Cup.
It’s been a real highlight of the trip so far to just spend time together away from footy, we’ve been sticking tight off the field and I think it’s been showing on the field.
We’re now just four wins away from bringing home the World Cup and I know this group has what it takes to do it.
Get all the latest NRL news, highlights and analysis delivered straight to your inbox with Fox Sports Sportmail. Sign up now!!!
