Michael Jennings says a recall to the Australia squad for the Rugby League World Cup on Monday would cap off a perfect year for the star centre.
Jennings scored one of the great NRL grand final tries to seal a 26-18 win for the Sydney Roosters over Manly at ANZ Stadium Stadium to almost certainly book his spot on the flight to the UK later this month.
The NSW star last played for the Kangaroos in 2009 and scored a hat-trick in his one appearance at international level against France and said a return to the green and gold is one of the reasons he joined the Roosters this year from Penrith.
“I haven’t thought too much about playing for Australia again to be honest,” Jennings told AAP.
“But I would love to go to a World Cup. I think playing for a team that has won a comp has put me in a good position to do so – all I can do now is hope.”
Jennings injured his back on an advertising board as he got his fingertips to James Maloney’s grubber-kick to score, and said he was in some discomfort from the blow.
“It did really hurt, but a few beers should ease the pain!” he said.
“I will see how I pull up in the morning, but at the moment I just want to enjoy this moment – it’s been a great day.”
Unlike the rest of the stadium, Jennings said he’d yet to appreciate the brilliance of his match-winning try.
“I haven’t seen it yet, but I’m told it’s pretty good,” he said.
“I just saw the ball bounce and went for it. It really hurt, but you can wear that when you win a GF.”
Clive Churchill Medal winner Daly Cherry-Evans is also likely to be in Tim Sheens’ squad, which will be named on Monday morning.
The Manly halfback became only the third player to win the prize having finished on the losing side.
“I’d love to represent Australia again,” said Cherry-Evans, who made his debut against Wales in 2011.
“It’s something that every kid dreams of, to play for Australia and I’d love to be able to do that again.”