Premiership-winning halfback Nathan Cleary is set to make his eagerly-awaited Test debut for the Kangaroos when Australia take on Scotland in Round Two of the World Cup.
After veteran Daly Cherry-Evans had first crack at halfback against Fiji, Meninga is expected to test a new halves pair between Cleary and Maroons five-eighth Cameron Munster, a combination never seen before on the rugby league stage.
Putting their Origin and past grand final differences aside, Cleary said he is excited to combine with a player he has admired for a long time and expects to “gel quite well” with the Queensland playmaker’s style of play.
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“One of the things that makes me most excited about being here is being able to play alongside him (Munster),” Cleary told the media ahead of Saturday's match against Scotland.
“I play right side and he plays left so we’re always coming up against each other, particularly in some big games.
I’m just in awe of what he can do on the footy field.
Nathan Cleary on Cameron Munster
"Teaming up with him on the field and being able to unlock that ability is something I’m looking forward to.
Even if Munster can be “a bit of a grub”, the Penrith star No. 7 said he is hoping the time spent off the field with his Kangaroo teammate will transition on to the paddock come game day.
Munster's player of the match performance
“I think we’re both pretty competitive and that naturally comes out on the field so I think that’s what makes it cooler is that we have that mutual respect for each other,” he said.
“The way we both play, I think we could gel quite well and I think off the field we’ve got along pretty well too.
“We’ve had some good times off the field and now we’ve just got to create some good times on the field.”
Despite spending his formative years as a rugby league player in New Zealand, the 24-year-old said donning the green and gold on the World Cup stage is a dream that has never waned.
“It was only the other night when I was at the game watching the boys play that it sunk in that I was part of the Kangaroos squad,” Cleary said.
“This is something I've dreamt of doing since I was a little kid.
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“I started playing footy over there but I always knew I was Aussie. Both of my parents are from Australia and I was born there so there was never any doubt in my mind.
“It would be funny at school when a game was on that night and it would be all the Kiwi supporters and I was the lone Aussie so there was a bit of banter but I think that’s what made it more special and really drove that passion and pride in the Australian jersey. I just wanted to get there one day.”
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