A proud Wade Graham will happily resume his utility role if it allows him to wriggle into coach Mal Meninga’s plans for Australia’s end-of-year Tests.
The Cronulla talent is at home on the left edge in the NRL but he knows his national and State of Origin captain Boyd Cordner has all but sewn up that berth.
Part of the 19-man squad for games against New Zealand and Tonga named on Monday, Graham instead can see a return to the bench in a flexible role he performed when last in the Kangaroos set-up at the 2017 World Cup.
“There’s a pretty handy player who plays left edge back row for us and I’m pretty sure he’ll be a lock in that jersey,” Graham said of Cordner.
“But it’s something I’m really proud of to be honest … Boyd is captain of Australia and NSW and we play the same position.
“I’m proud of the fact I’ve been able to force my way into teams another way.
“If I didn’t have that versatility or ability to play another position I probably would miss out on the rep scene.”
Graham is looking forward to more football following an injury-riddled season when he runs out with the Prime Minister’s XIII on Friday against Fiji in Suva.
He joined fellow Test squad members Tyson Frizell, Payne Haas, Ben Hunt and Jake Trbojevic with the side for training in Brisbane on Monday.
“We didn’t finish the season the way we wanted to at the Sharks but I can’t complain, I get my opportunity with the Prime Minister’s team and some footy down the track,” he said.
“I’m proud to be part of it again.”