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SALFORD – Campbell Graham was perhaps the most surprising name in the Kangaroos squad when Mal Meninga announced the names in Sydney in early October.
The Souths back knew he was going to the World Cup – only he thought at the time that it would be against Australia with Scotland, rather than as part of the green and gold team.
Now, with Meninga’s squad rotation policy giving everyone a chance to shine, it would be no surprise if Graham were named to face Lebanon in the quarter final this weekend in Huddersfield, such has been the quality of his performances.
Graham has scored five tries in two games, and even though they were in bash-ups of Italy and Scotland, he has still stood out as one of the best on ground on both occasions.
He told The Roar that he always knew he could make a mark, if given the chance, regardless of the opposition in front of him.
“It’s a mental challenge when you’re expected to win convincingly,” he said. “No disrespect to either team, but it was a challenge to get into the mindset to play the footy we wanted to play. My mindset was simplified, every time I got the ball I wanted to run as hard as I could and every time I got an opportunity, I wanted to take it.
“I always back my ability in this squad. I knew I would have an opportunity to put forward my claim for a starting spot, and I try to claim it with both hands.
(Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)
“In both games we won convincing and being out on the wing is a pretty good gig with those boys inside you. I haven’t played on the wing in a couple of years but it was no dramas slotting in after all that time given the quality of the team. I just play off the back of those boys.
“Everyone who has put on a jersey this tournament has done a job and I’m sure Mal’s got a pleasant headache.”
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Josh Addo-Carr will certainly take one of the wing spots, but the other is a straight shootout between Graham and Murray Taulagi. “Stretch”, as he is known, has probably edged it in performances, but the Cowboys winger has more Origin experience and an existing combination with Val Holmes, who could be picked in the centres or if Jack Wighton gets the nod, the former Shark could be pushed out to the flank.
“I might try to take out his knee or something!” joked Graham ahead of Kangaroos training session lined up with Taulagi.
“But if you step back, you have gratitude that you’re in this squad and you’re playing in these games. You want to be in that 17, but there’s potentially three games to go and you never know what can happen.
“I stay ready and if my opportunity comes this week, I’m there, and if not, I’ll be prepping for future games.”
Were he to play, he had a message for Souths teammate Josh Mansour, who will line up on the wing opposite for the Cedars: “I’m sure he’ll have plenty of chat – but call him my little sausage so I’ll be getting into him for that!”