Bulldogs superstar Matt Burton has reportedly been selected in Mal Meninga’s Kangaroos squad ahead of the World Cup in October.
Meninga has reportedly been privately informing clubs who have been knocked out which of their players will be selected in a train-on-squad according to the SMH.
That squad will then be cut to a 24-man playing group to travel across to the United Kingdom and start as favourites to come home with the trophy.
Reports suggest Burton is a strong chance of being included in the touring party and will be teammates with Maroons enforcer Tino Fa’asuamaleaui who infamously held the NSW centre in a headlock in the Origin decider.
Bulldogs supremo Phil Gould revealed the club delayed an off-season ankle surgery to allow Burton to travel abroad.
“He can play a number of positions. He’s in that ilk of player now and I think it’d be a great experience for him to go away,” Gould said on Nine’s 100% Footy.
“I know he’s looking forward to it. We had actually booked him in for surgery last week; he had a little problem with his ankle. But we’re happy to suspend that just to wait out (and see) what happens with the World Cup tour. If he goes, good luck to him.”
Meanwhile, Roosters fullback James Tedesco is reportedly firming to take over the captaincy after Boyd Cordner last wore the armband in 2019, beating out Sea Eagles half Daly Cherry-Evans.
Blues coach Brad Fittler gave the NSW skipper a glowing endorsement.
“What he has shown in a couple of years with the Blues, his demeanour under pressure, and the inspiration side of things, there are not many players who have both qualities,” Fittler said.
Reports suggest Cowboys trio Jeremiah Nanai, Murray Taulagi and Reuben Cotter will be included in the squad, while Raiders gun Hudson Young and Tricolours prodigy Joseph Suaalii have also been selected.
Roosters prop Matt Lodge has reportedly missed out on selection but could be a late inclusion if injuries change selectors plans.
Meanwhile, Ben Hunt, Josh Addo-Carr, Cameron Munster, Harry Grant, Angus Crichton, Lindsay Collins, Jake Trbojevic, Daly Cherry-Evans, Pat Carrigan and Payne Haas look likely to be included in the Kangaroos squad.
