Sharks Gallen Selected In Australian Team

2/05/2010 3:27:00 PM

Inspirational Cronulla workhorse, Paul Gallen, has been selected in the Australian side to take on New Zealand in Friday night's Test in Melbourne.

Despite the Sharks disappointing start to the 2010 season, Gallen has been rewarded for his brilliant form with a spot in the back row.

"I've been pretty nervous over the last few weeks about selection," Gallen admitted.

"I mean last year when we (the Sharks) weren’t going so well, I was still reasonably confident that I could crack the side, but this year has been different.

"I just thought running at the bottom of the table for the past two years might have counted against me and my luck run out a bit... I've been sweating on a phone call so I'm very relieved."

Gallen's averaged a remarkable 141 run metres and almost 30 tackles per game - one of the highest in the NRL.

With ten tests and six origins under his sleeve, the former Sharks captain admitted that his experience in the representative arena may have helped him over the line, with a number of quality players left out.

"I guess having played 10 test matches before helped me, I've been there before and they know that I can perform at this level."

“It's definitely a reward for my efforts this season and in the past... I'm very happy to represent the club and it's also a reward for Sticky (Ricky Stuart) Flanno (Shane Flanagan) and Elk (Trent Elkin) who have all put a lot of effort in to me over the years."

The Australian side will play a strong Kiwi outfit on Friday night and Gallen knows what to expect.

"They're certainly a big, tough physical side, that's no secret."

"Our 20-all draw against them last year in England was probably the toughest game I have ever played."

"They were brutal and I don't think it will be any different this time around, they'll be switched on."

"We'll have a good week in camp with Tim Sheens... he's pretty relaxed, has some great ideas and I really enjoyed my time overseas with him so I'm looking forward to catching up with him again."

Australian side named:

1. Billy Slater
2. Brett Morris
3. Greg Inglis
4. Jamie Lyon
5. Jarryd Hayne
6. Darren Lockyer (c)
7. Cooper Cronk
8. Petero Civoniceva
9. Cameron Smith
10. David Shillington
11. Luke Lewis
12. Sam Thaiday
13. Paul Gallen