Sharks Wade Graham, Bronson Xerri and Jayden Brailey have been included in an extended squad for upcoming PM’s XIII, World Cup of NINES, under 23’s and Kangaroos matches to be played at season’s end.
The Kangaroos selectors convened and identified the three Sharks, however which matches, teams and the format they will be best suited to yet to be determined and at this stage the three are in an extended train-on squad with finals teams still to be announced.
Of the Sharks named, Graham almost immediately bounced back to form for both the Cronulla side and the NSW Blues once returning to the field following knee surgery, Xerri was a revelation in the centres in his first year in the NRL, while Brailey’s competitive instincts and tradesman-like service out of dummy half was obviously noted by the Australian selectors.
While in further news, hard-running Sharks forward Braden Hamlin-Uele is in calculations to be included in the Toa Samoa team for their Oceania Cup tour of New Zealand after being selected in their 26-man extended squad.
Hamlin-Uele was another to shine for the Sharks during 2019, with his recognition from Samoa a fitting reward for his breakthrough season.
The Kangaroos have international matches scheduled against New Zealand (October 25) at WIN Stadium in Wollongong and Tonga (November 2) at Eden Park in Auckland, while the Junior Roos are scheduled to take on France as the curtain-raiser to the Australia v NZ match.
The Prime Minister’s XIII this year take on a Fiji PM’s XIII at ANZ National Stadium in Fiji on October 11.
As for Samoa, they have a Pacific Test against Fiji, at Eden Park on November 2.
