Australian Kangaroos coach Tim Sheens oversees training. Source: Mark Evans / News Limited
TEST coach Tim Sheens has this simple message for anyone who thinks State of Origin rivalry has the potential to tear the Kangaroos apart at the World Cup.
"We're all Australian," Sheens said.
"Of course there's rivalry when two teams play against each other, whether it be at club or state level, but to suggest that this will divide the Kangaroos is just ridiculous."
Sheens returned home from England last week where he was making final preparations ahead of the end of season tournament.
Two days later a report in The Daily Telegraph detailed how the passion that spilled over during Origin could damage Australia's chances at the World Cup.
Sheens said he was disappointed at the suggestion players would not be able to put their Origin allegiances behind them when they came together to play for Australia.
It's obviously not been an issue in the last five years given Australia have won all but one game.
"At the end of the year if you're selected to play on a Kangaroo tour in a World Cup, I expect the team to unite as Australians and compete against the other nations not each other," he said.
"There is no such thing as a Queenslander or a New South Welshman on tour."
The day after Origin three, Sheens sat down with the four Australian selectors for a meeting at League Central where they talked over the possible make-up of the 24-man Kangaroo squad.
Sheens said he was excited as the countdown starts to the World Cup and now was the time for players who may not have featured prominently during Origin to step up.
He didn't mention names but admitted players that didn't necessarily play a big role during Origin were discussed at the meeting.
With seven rounds left of the regular season Sheens said there was an opportunity for players to make a late charge for a Kangaroo jumper.
"We all met after the Origin and added some contenders," he said. "We are open-minded for someone who has not featured in the State of Origin or who featured in a small way to step up.
"There were some younger players that have obviously come into contention.
"The form at the backend of the season is obviously very important."
Sheens pointed back to Daly Cherry-Evans' emergence in the Australian squad after Manly won the comp in 2011 as proof you don't have to play a part in Origin to get a Kangaroo call-up.
This suggests there's still hope for Souths halves John Sutton and Adam Reynolds to push for a Kangaroo call-up at the end of the year.
Roosters backrower Boyd Cordner has come into contention after receiving his Origin call up for game three.
At 21, many believe he is a future NSW captain and is ready to take the next step in his career.
"The semi-finals/grand final are big games of State of Origin importance, from the point of view of the players," he said.
"It is different to Origin and the players will tell you that. To win a grand final is a whole year's effort so they are big games and they will be played with a fair bit of intensity."
The Kangaroos squad will be announced on the Monday after the grand final and the team will depart a week later. They will have ten days to prepare for their first match against England in Cardiff.
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