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‘It’s his jersey’: DCE on brink of Kanagroos exile as star makes big Cleary admission

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  • September 24, 2024
‘It’s his jersey’: DCE on brink of Kanagroos exile as star makes big Cleary admission

Sea Eagles veteran Daly Cherry-Evans has conceded Nathan Cleary will wear the No.7 jersey for the Kangaroos if he’s fit, with the incumbent halfback potentially squeezed out of the Australian squad.

According to the SMH, Mal Meninga is reportedly finalising Kangaroos outfit, but it remains to be seen if Cleary will go under the knife to have surgery on his shoulder.

Cherry-Evans has played 25 games for the Kangaroos since debuting in 2013, but is reportedly set to slip down the pecking order despite wearing the No.7 in Australia’s last Test.

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Daly Cherry-Evans of Australia looks dejected following the Men’s Pacific Championship Final match between Australia Kangaroos and New Zealand Kiwis at Waikato Stadium on November 04, 2023 in Hamilton, New Zealand. (Photo by Phil Walter/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images

Should Cleary be fit, Cherry-Evans could miss out on the squad altogether, with Eels gun Mitchell Moses expected to be included after a stellar Origin series.

The Manly star also admitted he’s coming closer to the end of his representative playing days and will have to make a decision regarding retirement to prolong his NRL career.

“If Nate is healthy, Nate plays,” Cherry-Evans said.

“It’s Nate’s jersey, Nate is the No. 7 when healthy. But there sounds like a bit of uncertainty there (with his injury) and that’s why I’m going to keep the door open.

“I didn’t think I was playing for Australia last year until grand final night when he [Cleary] got injured.

“I’m getting closer to retiring from rep footy, no doubt about it.

“There will be that thing for me to continue in the NRL, at some stage I might have to sacrifice rep footy, I definitely understand that, but I don’t think it’s right now, not.”

Radley admits seriousness of injury | 00:58

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Five-eighth’s Matt Burton and Tom Dearden are also reportedly set to be named, with mystery surrounding the availability of Storm superstar Cameron Munster.

He also could be set to go under the knife to have double hit surgery, while Meninga also has a headache on his hands when it comes to the fullback position.

Kalyn Ponga, James Tedesco and Dylan Edwards loom as the leading candidates, while Roosters gun Connor Watson is reportedly gunning for a shock inclusion.

After a strong debut Origin series for the Blues, he is reportedly being considered as Harry Grant’s second-in-charge with Ben Hunt’s position in the squad under jeopardy.

Meanwhile, for New Zealand, Dylan Brown and Kieran Foran both won’t be fit to take the field for the Kiwis, leaving Stacey Jones to attempt to lure Shaun Johnson out of retirement.

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