You must have flash player to view media.
AAP & Rugbyleaguelive.com | 07/10/08 | 0
AUDIO - Ricky Stuart's reaction to the World Cup squad
AUDIO - Terry Campese: 'this is unbelievable'
AUDIO - David Williams: 'I nearly played park football this year'
Manly have been rewarded for their dominant premiership victory with six players form the grand final squad - including rookie winger David Williams - named in the Australian squad to play in this month's Rugby League World Cup.
Williams was the bolter in a new-look squad which features seven uncapped players, four of whom played in Sunday night's 40-0 grand final win over Melbourne.
Premiership players Anthony Watmough, Glenn Stewart and Newcastle reject Josh Perry were also given their first taste of the green and gold, joining NSW fullback Brett Stewart and Test prop Brent Kite who were also named in the 24-man squad to be captained by Darren Lockyer.
"It's a great reward for a very, very good football team," Kangaroos coach Ricky Stuart said of the six Sea Eagles in the squad.
"They showed on Sunday evening that they warranted their selections."
A clean-shaven Williams, thanks to teammate Michael Robertson who took it upon himself to clean up 'The Wolfman', said he didn't believe the news when told by his Manly teammates, who are still celebrating Sunday's win in their seaside Manly apartment.
"I still don't think it's hit me yet," Williams said.
"I haven't got a grasp on the grand final let alone making the Test squad, I'm sure that will come later in the week."
Stuart said the inclusion of Williams was reward for a fantastic finals display in which the 22-year-old showed he could handle the big-game atmosphere.
"I think it's very exciting, I think it would be even more exciting for David himself," Stuart said.
"I think he's had a little bit of of run of bad luck in regards to his injuries - this season with Des (Manly coach Des Hasler) he's had a pretty good run with health and he's shown that he can be a very exciting winger.
"He's big and strong and very fast."
Canberra duo Terry Campese and Joel Monaghan and Gold Coast backrower Anthony Laffranchi are the other new faces while there was also an international recall for veteran Sydney Rooster backrower Craig Fitzgibbon and Titans skipper Scott Prince.
The full Kangaroos squad
Fullbacks: Billy Slater (Storm), Brett Stewart (Sea Eagles)
Outside backs: Israel Folau (Storm), Justin Hodges (Broncos), Greg Inglis (Storm), Joel Monaghan (Raiders), Brent Tate (Warriors), David Williams (Sea Eagles)
Halves: Terry Campese (Raiders), Darren Lockyer (Broncos), Scott Prince (Titans), Johnathan Thurston (Cowboys)
Hooker: Cameron Smith (Storm)
Back-rowers: Michael Crocker (Storm), Craig Fitzgibbon (Roosters), Paul Gallen (Sharks), Anthony Laffranchi (Titans), Glenn Stewart (Sea Eagles), Anthony Watmough (Sea Eagles)
Front-rowers: Petero Civoniceva (Panthers), Brent Kite (Sea Eagles), Josh Perry (Sea Eagles), Steve Price (Warriors)
Utility: Kurt Gidley (Knights)
I just thought it was all hype, I didn't actually think it was going to happen
David Williams, Kangaroos winger
Send to friend
* Required field