Legendary halfback Andrew Johns has made a stunning call on who should wear Australia’s No.7 jumper at next month’s Rugby League World Cup.
Johns – who represented the Kangaroos 25 times and is regarded as arguably the best to ever wear the jersey – believes Daly Cherry-Evans should get the nod over Nathan Cleary.
Cherry-Evans has done the job 15 times and is the incumbent for the position.
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But in the three years since Australia last played a Test match, Cleary has established himself as the best halfback in the NRL.
He led the Panthers to the premiership last year, and is on track to do the same this season. Cherry-Evans, meanwhile, endured a horror end to his season with Manly as the Sea Eagles lost seven games straight and finished outside finals.
But Johns is staunch in his assessment Cherry-Evans deserves to retain the No.7 spot, based mainly on their respective performances during this year’s State of Origin series.
Queensland beat New South Wales, with Cherry-Evans steering the ship.
“I think Daly Cherry-Evans deserves to be the halfback after his Origin series,” Johns told Wide World of Sports’ Freddy and the Eighth.
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“Before Origin I thought Nathan would be, but if you’re looking at Origin in particular… I think Daly deserves to be halfback and captain.
“Daly is the incumbent, we haven’t played for a couple of years. I think he deserves first shot at it, and captain.
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“Both of them will go. Before Origin I thought Nathan will be there, but after Origin – particularly in game three – (Cherry-Evans’) performance I thought ‘well he deserves it’.
“I know it’s going to be nearly impossible, because Penrith will win (the grand final) and Nathan will probably get Clive Churchill (for man of the match).”
Johns believes Cherry-Evans should also be asked to captain the Kangaroos instead of Roosters skipper and Australian fullback James Tedesco.
Both men captain their respective Origin and club teams.
Fellow legend Brad Fittler was taken aback by Johns’ halfback call.
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“I think Nathan. I think Nathan has (played well) more consistently,” Fittler said.
“They will pick them both, no doubt, they will pick them both to go away.
“I think Nathan, his consistency – if I was a coach – week in, week out he is at least an eight (out of 10).”
Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga will need to name his squad after the NRL grand final on October 2, before the group flies to England for the World Cup.
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