A BLOSSOMING Michael Morgan is in the box seat to become Australia’s long-term No.6 after earning his first Kangaroos jersey in the trans-Tasman Test against New Zealand.

Morgan was one of four Test debutants named in Mal Meninga’s first Australian team, with fellow Queenslander Josh McGuire, and wingers Semi Radradra and Blake Ferguson also handed their first green and gold jerseys.

Morgan has rocketed up the list of the game’s premier playmakers over the past two seasons with his sensational form with the Cowboys, and Meninga said his form had been too good to ignore.

“Michael has earned his position, there is no doubt about that. His form over the past two and a bit years has been outstanding,” Meninga told fogs.com.au

“He had been in the Queensland Emerging Origin system for a few years, so we were always well aware of his potential, but he just lacked that self-confidence to take his game to the next level.

“I think that season he spent at fullback with the Cowboys really opened his eyes about his own ability, and how he had what it takes to control games at the top level.

“He took that confidence with him when he moved back to five-eighth and he hasn’t looked back.

“He is tough, talented and versatile. They were the qualities we were looking for when we picked him for Queensland last year, and they are the same qualities that have led to him being picked for Australia.”

Meninga said there was no reason why Morgan could not follow the template created by Cooper Cronk, who played the role of bench utility for Queensland and Australia for many years while he waited his turn behind the great Darren Lockyer for a starting role.

“Morgo is getting better and better with experience,” Meninga said. “We saw in last year’s grand final that he is not afraid to back himself in pressure situations to come up with the right play.

“It was his cool thinking and execution under pressure that led to Kyle Feldt’s try to save the game, and ultimately deliver the Cowboys the premiership.

“Cooper benefitted from learning his trade coming off the bench, and bringing energy into the team off the bench.

“When the time came for him to take over the starting role in the team, it was an easy and comfortable transition for him to make.

“There is no reason why Michael cannot do the same, with both Cooper and Johnathan Thurston coming to the ends of their careers.

“He has an opportunity to cement his place in the team now, and it is up to him to grab it.”

AUSTRALIA: Darius Boyd, Semi Radradra, Greg Inglis, Josh Dugan, Blake Ferguson, Johnathan Thurston, Cooper Cronk, Matt Scott, Cameron Smith ©, Paul Gallen, Josh Papalii, Matt Gillett, Corey Parker. INTERCHANGE: Josh McGuire, Michael Morgan, James Tamou, Sam Thaiday