Graham eyes Bravehearts clash after Kangaroos call-up

Campbell Graham had been preparing to play for Scotland in this weekend’s World Cup warm-up match in Edinburgh, but he now hopes to line-up against the Bravehearts when they meet Australia.

Graham qualifies for Scotland through his Glasgow-born father, Stewart, while his mother, Lisa, moved to Australia in her 20s from Coventry, where the Kangaroos meet the Bravehearts on October 21.

The only member of the Australian squad yet to play State of Origin, Graham had been in regular contact with the Bravehearts coaching staff for more than a year about representing his heritage at the World Cup.

However, a Kangaroos call-up last Monday caused a sudden change of plans and instead of flying out to join Scotland for the clash with England Knights, he departed Sydney with the team Australian team on Thursday night.

While Scotland coach Nathan Graham was understandably disappointed to lose a player of Graham’s calibre for the World Cup, the Rabbitohs centre said he had congratulated him on his selection

“I was planning to get over to Scotland and then I got selected for Australia, so it took the decision out of my hands,” Graham said.

“I had been communicating with the Scotland coaching staff for about a year now, since we didn’t get to go last year [due to the World Cup being postponed].

“But they were all understanding. I didn’t even have to contact them, they saw the news and congratulated me, so it is all good.

“Hopefully that opportunity to represent them will come later in my career. It will be a huge honour for myself.“

Graham has now turned his focus to cementing a spot in the Australian team, and hopes Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga will give him the opportunity to play against Scotland in Coventry.

“My mum was born in Coventry and she came over travelling when she was about 28, and met my dad in Australia. He is from Glasgow,” Graham said.

“I’ve only been there once when I was about two years old, so it will be good to go back. I’ve got heaps of cousins and aunties and uncles there, so I will have a fair bit of support there if I get to play that game.”

Having switched from left centre to right centre for Souths this season, Graham could be in for another position move as Josh Addo-Carr and Murray Taulagi are the only specialist wingers in Australia’s 24-man squad.

The 23-year-old South Sydney junior said he doesn’t mind where he plays.  

“It is my first real taste of representative football, and it is probably the highest honour I could achieve,” Graham said.

“I am extremely humbled and blessed to be in this position and it is probably one I dreamed of and have ambitions to play, so for it to become a reality so soon was a huge honour and I can’t wait.

“I didn’t really put much thought into it, as my focus was more on representing Scotland, so to be notified I was in the final squad, I was over the moon.

“Mal hasn’t said much to me yet, but I suppose we will sit down in the next few days and discuss my role.”

Graham is one of three Rabbitohs in the Kangaroos squad, along with Latrell Mitchell, who is expected to play in the centres, and Cameron Murray, who has been appointed vice-captain.

“I think the way Cam has captained our club this year in his first year as captain has been first class,” Graham said.

“He just took it on board and took it in his stride.

“Even before he had the C next to his name he was someone people looked to for guidance and leadership, so there is no one more fitting for the role, I believe.”