Tyrone Peachey is ready to stake his claim for his Kangaroos debut after admitted he was devastated to be overlooked for the side to face New Zealand.
Peachey was again named in the No.18 jumper for Australia for Saturday's historic clash with Tonga, with Luke Keary at five-eighth despite suffering a concussion during the loss to the Kiwis.
"You need that player on the bench who can play every position and I'm happy to do that": Tyrone Peachey.Credit:AAP
Keary will be monitored throughout the week, with Peachey on standby to come onto the bench if Ben Hunt has to replace the Sydney Roosters No.6.
Speaking before the team announcement, Peachey said he was ready to add spark as an interchange player if required.
"I suppose I have that x-factor coming off the bench and with what happened on the weekend with a few players going down, I think I've got a few positions covered," he said.
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"You need that player on the bench who can play every position and I'm happy to do that."
The 27-year-old made his State of Origin debut for NSW this year when coming off the bench in their series victory, a promotion earned on the back of his play at five-eighth for Penrith earlier in the season.
Peachey is now expected to slot into the centres for the Gold Coast when he moves to the Titans next year.
Yet first he yearns for a taste of Test football at Auckland's Mt Smart Stadium on Saturday.
"When he (Meninga) told me last week that I was 18th man it was pretty disappointing," Peachey said.
"I took it to heart. It sucks not playing. I think being named in the Australian team and not playing is always going to be tough. But I'm still happy to be here.
"I was pretty devastated, being involved in the team. You always want to play."
AAP
