Daly Cherry-Evans knows he is on borrowed time in the Kangaroos No.6 jersey. In a sense though, so too are the Kangaroos' long-term halves Cooper Cronk and Johnathan Thurston who have kept Cherry-Evans at bay for now.
When Australia's Four Nations campaign wraps up, the Manly playmaker wants to leave the selectors with little doubt on who will lead the next-generation of Kangaroos stars.
While Cherry-Evans believes a fit Thurston will regain his halves spot, the 25-year-old is looking at the bigger picture.
"All I want to do is reassure not only myself but the people who pick this side that if there is an injury again in the future I'll be comfortably picked in the halves with no hesitation," Cherry-Evans said. "I'd like to continue to assert myself as a representative player. If injuries happen in the future, I want the people picking this team to be comfortable in having me in the starting side."
Cherry-Evans may consider his starting stint as a short-term fix. But with Thurston and Cronk in their 30s, Cherry-Evans is primed to become the Kangaroos premier playmaker as they look to defend their their world championship at the 2017 World Cup. With Thurston injured, Cherry-Evans will have to settle for playing five-eighth instead of his regular halfback role when he combines with Cronk in Australia's opening Four-Nations game in Brisbane on Saturday night.
"I don't see it as me cementing a spot in the side," Cherry-Evans said. "Cooper and JT have plenty of years ahead of them. Obviously JT is not here so there is an opportunity to play some starting football. I'm going to make sure I take that with both hands. To say I'm trying to cement my spot, no, I'm sure the boys will naturally come back when available."
His form at last year's World Cup demanded selection in the Kangaroos 17. He usurped Robbie Farah as the side's bench utility and put pressure on the Thurston/Cronk combination for the first time with strong back-to-back starting performances in Australia's pool game when coach Tim Sheens rested one of his starting halves to partner Cherry-Evans.
"Knowing that I've been able to play some good football for Australia in previous years definitely puts my mind at ease being here," Cherry-Evans said. "I feel comfortable. Last year was a real big turning point for me in terms of establishing myself for Australia. I got a lot of confidence out of being in the team for five weeks and winning the World Cup was a huge achievement. I'm definitely feeling more comfortable. In saying that I don't want to over step my mark because there are a lot of boys with more seniority."
Like Cronk before him – who had to wait until Darren Lockyer's retirement to gain a regular starting spot – Cherry-Evans has been confined to a bench spot in his Test career. He'll start just his third game on Saturday. "I've never minded playing the role off the bench and the unknown about how many minutes or position you'll play," Cherry-Evans said. I'm obviously a lot more comfortable starting in the halves. That's my job week in week out at Manly. It's something I pick up naturally when I came into camp and given the opportunity to start. I'm in the halves now [so I have to] show that commanding role and get what I need from the boys to get the win."
While the Kangaroos squad was filled with rookies it was Cherry-Evans who was most excited when Sheens rang to tell him of his selection according to the Kangaroos coach. Cherry-Evans, who is yet to taste defeat from his seven Tests, considers himself a senior rookie in the Kangaroos squad. "I'm fortunate enough to be in that middle slot where I'm not inexperienced but I'm not a senior player," Cherry-Evans said. "I think that's a real enjoyable place to be. I don't have to be on egg shells. I'm very comfortable with where I stand in the side. With that I will be more of myself on and off the field. That's always what brings the best out of people when you're more natural and comfortable."
Meanwhile, Manly's boardroom resolution could help secure Cherry-Evans – who is off contract at the end of next season – a long-term deal at the club.
