‘There was no refund’: Why Ethan Strange was happy to trade Thai villa for Kangaroos camp

Ethan Strange was sunning himself at the Amora Beach Resort in Phuket, Thailand just over a week ago when the name of Kangaroos coach Kevin Walters flashed up on his phone.

Mitchell Moses had broken down with a calf and lower leg muscle tear against New Zealand and been ruled out of the World Cup. Walters needed a back-up playmaker for the remainder of the tournament.

He had taken Strange on the Ashes tour last year, but the Canberra star did not get the chance to wear the green and gold.

So when Walters called, Strange explained that he was only a few days into a well-earned, two-week break in Thailand with his partner, Milayna.

“Stay a couple of extra days, then come back when you’re ready,” Walters told Strange.

Now, Strange will finally realise his Kangaroos dream when he makes his debut against the Cook Islands in Townsville on Saturday night.

Australia cannot afford to make too many changes after their scare against Fiji on Sunday night, and if anything, need a blowout performance so they head into Sunday’s week’s semi-final with some momentum.

However, Walters has confirmed Strange will feature at Queensland Country Bank Stadium. How many minutes he gets and where he actually plays is still to be decided. The versatile 22-year-old can play in the halves, centre, or even at dummy-half or lock forward.

The Test call-up is a fitting reward for an outstanding young talent who featured for NSW in their Origin series victory this year.

Strange was eligible for both New Zealand and England officials and was on their radar early in his career. But, he said, “it was Australia or nothing”.

“It’s going to be very special, Australia is a country I love dearly,” Strange told this masthead on Monday.

“I was in Thailand with my partner a couple of weeks ago when Kev called. He told me to stay a couple of extra days because I was never going to play against Fiji.

“I still got to spend about six or seven days there. There was no refund for the second week, but I get to play for Australia, which is cool. I can always go back to Thailand.

“Kev told me he’d bring me in and give me a game. I’m not bothered how many minutes I get, or where I play.

“Dad [coach John Strange] used to play me everywhere. If I have to play front-row, or wing, I’ll give it a crack; I might not be much good, but I’ll give it a go.

“I told my mates not to bother coming to Townsville because I’m not sure how many minutes I’ll get. I told them I’ll book us all a villa in Thailand, and we can celebrate afterwards.”

Strange’s call-up will be a welcome boost for the family after his older sister, Jasmin, a premiership winner with the Roosters, ruptured her ACL in training last week. Jasmin had debuted for England against France the previous week, and was in line to play in Saturday’s match against the Jillaroos.

“It was devastating for her because she’s done her ACL before,” Strange said.

“She was grateful she got to represent England a few days earlier. But it wasn’t a good time for the family. We know she’s got a long road back, but she’ll be back stronger.”

Strange praised Canberra coach Ricky Stuart for helping him reach his potential at such a young age. Stuart made his Kangaroos debut at 23, and only ever wore the green and gold on foreign soil.

“‘Sticky’ has been massive for my career,” Strange said. “I always had dad as my coach, but ‘Stick’ is a really good man.

“I play better when I have someone I genuinely want to play for and care for, which is Ricky. I value what someone and how they treat you away from the field, which only makes you play better on it.”

Stuart said of Strange’s call-up: “Ethan got a lot of experience going on the Ashes series last year, even though he didn’t play. He was knocking around with Nathan Cleary and Mitch Moses, and from a head coach’s point of view, they’re the kind of people you want him to be knocking around with,” Stuart said.

“He came back from England a different player with a different mentality. To now be making his debut, and so early in his career, it’s a wonderful credit to him and his family.”

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