Sam Thaiday's State of Origin axing won't hurt his Kangaroos chances for the Rugby league World Cup, according to Australia coach Mal Meninga.
Thaiday made his Queensland Origin debut in Meninga's first Origin as coach in 2006. Eleven years on his Maroons career was seemingly ended as he was dropped in the wake of his side's thrashing by NSW.
But Meninga said he still believed the backrower could add to his tally of 34 Tests for Australia in the end-of-year tournament.
"His representative career isn't over," Meninga told Fox Sports' Queenslanders Only program.
"I'm the Australian coach and I'm looking at him on a week-to-week basis and if he's playing and his form warrants it, he will be there abouts with the Australian team.
"I think he gets back and plays good club football, that's the person he is. He'll be working his butt off for the Broncos and he'll get another crack."
Thaiday was one of six Queenslanders cut from the squad for Origin II, after they suffered their biggest ever home loss to NSW last month, while Anthony Milford's injury allowed him to make way for Johnathan Thurston.
Thaiday made just 50 metres with the ball and failed to break a tackle in his 43 minutes off the bench at Suncorp Stadium, the lowest attacking work rate of any of Queensland's forwards.
And despite his disappointment for Thaiday, Meninga praised the selectors and coach Kevin Walters' decision to regenerate the side he took to nine series victories between 2006 and 2015.
"I knew there was going to be a bit of a cleanout of the old guard," Meninga said.
"I'm very happy with the team they picked. It's inspired."
Meanwhile former Queensland back rower Billy Moore said he believed Thaiday had been harshly treated.
"He has been a great stalwart for Queensland," Moore said.
"After 29 games, 28 have been rippers.
"By Sam's lofty standards the last Origin wasn't his best. He didn't have enough impact off the bench.
"But I would have thought after 28 rippers someone like that would have got another chance."
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