After being overlooked by the Blues for the first time since 2018 this year, Bulldogs flyer Josh Addo-Carr is hopeful he’s done enough to ensure he is on the plane to England as part of the Kangaroos’ World Cup squad.
Addo-Carr impressed in his stint for the Australian PM’s XIII in their 64-14 win over their Papua New Guinea counterparts on Sunday night, scoring a try and making two line breaks, and now shapes as a likely inclusion in Mal Meninga’s squad for the tournament which kicks off next month.
With New South Wales coach Brad Fittler preferring Brian To’o and Daniel Tupou as his wingers this year, The Foxx said he has put it back on himself to show he is worthy of playing on the biggest stage, whether that be for the Blues or Australia.
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“It’s always disappointing not playing rep football, I love putting that Blues jersey on,” Addo-Carr said.
“But this year just wasn’t my time.
There are standards, both in Origin and playing for Australia, and you have got to live up to those standards.
Josh Addo-Carr
“Hopefully I do get the call up off Mal. It’s always going to be a privilege to put the Australian jersey on and to represent our country and families.”
Addo-Carr played on the wing the last time the Kangaroos took the field back in 2019 and so far has two Test caps to his name.
Foxx flys early
After a slow start to his first season with the Bulldogs, which saw him go without a try through the first five rounds, he bounced back to finish the year with 16 tries in 23 appearances.
After Sunday's match at Suncorp Stadium, Addo-Carr was also keen to push the case for Australian PM’s XIII teammate Selwyn Cobbo’s inclusion in the Kangaroos squad, following the 20-year-old’s star showing against the Papua New Guinea PM’s XIII.
Cobbo scores
Cobbo terrorised his opposing edge with his running game, scoring a try in each half and recording game-high numbers for metres gained (186) and line breaks (three).
“He’s big and strong, that’s what I know… he’s an outstanding player,” Addo-Carr said.
“He holds the ball in the left hand like GI (Greg Inglis) and fends like GI; he’s a true talent.
“It was no surprise that he carved up.
Cobbo closes it out
“I’d like to think [he’d be in the World Cup squad]. He’s had a terrific year at the Broncos – a couple of setbacks with the heads knocks and that kind of stuff – but he came back for the Australian team [Sunday] and carved up.
“You could chuck him in the front row and he’d carve up.
“He had a really, really good game, really physical both in attack and defence. No matter where you put him he’s going to be a superstar.”