Salford forward Tyrone McCarthy is eyeing his second World Cup appearance for Ireland later this year.
Warrington-born McCarthy has been representing the Irish since 2009 and has played 12 Tests for the country. He was vice-captain of the Wolfhounds at the 2013 World Cup. In two months time Ireland will lock horns with Wales, Papua New Guinea and Italy down under. McCarthy is hoping to be part of coach Mark Aston’s squad.
“I haven’t heard a lot but fingers crossed I’m in there,” he said.
Ireland’s squad is in a state of flux after veterans Pat Richards, Stuart Littler, Brett White, Simon Finnigan and Rory Kostjasyn all hung up their boots after the last World Cup. Ben Currie may be called up for England, while the likes of Wakefield pair Scott Grix and Liam Finn will be key members again for the Wolfhounds. The Irish are expected to call on the services a few NRL stars, such as Roosters half Luke Keary, on heritage grounds.
“Rory’s a big loss in the middle,” McCarthy admitted.
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“Bob Beswick will probably fill in there, he’ll get us around the park. Scott will be at the back and he’s got a bit of competition with Gregg McNally too. I know there’s a few lads playing in Oz – Luke Keary – he rang me and asked me if he could play. Which was nice to hear as he’s been on fire this season.
“Liam Finn is obviously doing really well at Wakefield and it’s something we’ve really lacked in the last World Cup was a genuine half to partner Liam. So it should be good for us. Hopefully we’ll have a strong side. We’ll just go out there and enjoy it. Make the most of it.”
Before national team duties call McCarthy is keen to finish his club season on a high note. Last weekend Salford snapped an eight-game losing streak by battering Huddersfield 52-14. It was the 29-year old’s first win with the Red Devils, since his late season switch from NRL side St George Illawarra, and provided much relief.
Excited to head to Leeds next week.
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“A happy change room for a change, which is good to be part of,” he said.
“Me and Manu Vatuvei we’ve been waiting a while for that win but it’s nice to finally get it now. Going into these last few games with the top four out of our hands really, we needed to show a bit of commitment and desire going forward into the back end of the season and next year. That was there to see.”
Salford had been under scrutiny since falling away in the past three months. The Red Devils had failed to win a game since the start of July, losing their Challenge Cup semi-final to Wigan and dropping down the ladder. Coach Ian Watson had also come under fire from some quarters.
“I think the best thing about Watto is he’s honest,” McCarthy said.
“Sometimes it’s not nice to hear a few home truths, but supposed you need to hear them. He’s definitely done that since I’ve been here. I think that’s what makes the group stronger. Everyone’s got his back and it’s nice to get a win and the coaching staff are part of that too.”
McCarthy is hoping Salford can finish the 2017 Super League season, one of massive highs and lows, in a positive manner and carry that into next year.
“The quality of the squad and the players is the reason what attracted me to come to Salford,” the back-rower said.
“What the boys showed against Huddersfield is that they can go out there and do the job. I think, for myself, we talked about belief and believing in themselves. We got ourselves in that position, with the semi-final of the Challenge Cup, and obviously a place in the top four for the Super 8s. You don’t get that through luck, you get there through hard work. If we can build on to that belief then obviously we can keep competing in those higher games."