Kangaroos captain Cameron Smith says Trent Merrin’s dedication shows how much representing Australia means to the team. 

Merrin was scheduled to be the best man at his brother’s wedding on Saturday, but instead will run out for Australia against New Zealand in the first every rugby league Test in Perth.

After being overlooked by NSW for State of Origin this year, the 27-year-old Merrin thought his representative career was over. 

‘This is why we play sport, to get the opportunity to represent our country. It’s the highest accolade you could ever achieve,’ Smith said on Sports Today. 

‘I think it shows what it means to (Merrin) to represent his country. He’s been able to do that a couple of times in the past.

‘We’re all really proud of him making himself available for this game and hopefully we can get a victory to make it a little bit easier for him.’

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