Westpac NSW Blues back rower Cameron Murray has the chance to elevate himself into Kangaroos folklore, when he lines up to play the Kiwis in the 2023 Pacific Championships final in Hamilton, New Zealand, on Saturday (4 November).
Murray is one of six True Blues named in the 17-player list by Australian coach Mal Meninga – seven if you include 18th man Nicho Hynes, who made his Test debut off the bench last weekend against the Kiwis.
When the Pacific Championships started Murray (four Tests) was one behind Steve Menzies (five) on the all-time list of forwards to score a try in consecutive Tests.
Out in front was Australian Rugby League Hall of Famer and South Sydney-Eastern Suburbs legend, Ron Coote, with tries in six straight Tests.
Murray equalled that last Saturday at Melbourne’s AAMI Park with a try in the 79th minute – the sixth and final four-pointer for the Kangaroos in a 36-18 win. He had scored in his fifth Test against Samoa in Townsville two weeks ago.
If the Rabbitohs club captain can score at Waikato Stadium he will finish 2023 with a remarkable milestone – seven straight Tests stretching back to his maiden try for Australia, against Italy last October at the World Cup.
This Saturday he is part of an all-NSW back row with Penrith pair, Liam Martin and Isaah Yeo.
Martin has been recalled to Meninga’s side after being rested last weekend alongside Blues and Brisbane prop Payne Haas.
His Broncos teammate and True Blue Kotoni Staggs plays his third straight Test for Australia at right centre, while NSW skipper James Tedesco plays his 13th – his ninth as captain.
