Josh Dugan admits he is surprised by his 2017 World Cup call-up but now wants to repay Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga’s faith.

The St George Illawarra flyer said he doubted whether he would feature in the Kangaroos squad after the Dragons narrowly missed out on NRL finals action.

“I was a bit surprised by my selection to be honest,” he said.

“There were some great players throughout the finals that probably could be here.

“But Mal has shown faith in me and now I don’t want to let him down.”

Dugan said it was humbling to have Meninga’s back throughout what he described as a “up and down” season.

The Dragons strike weapon featured in the trans-Tasman Test before breaking his cheekbone and was strong for NSW in this year’s State of Origin series.

However, he also made headlines for all the wrong reasons for a drinking session five days out from Origin III and was dropped from the Dragons team after he missed the team bus to Penrith for their round 25 clash.

Dugan was still picked by Meninga for last month’s Prime Minister’s XIII team clash against Papua New Guinea.

Dugan is expected to be named as a Kangaroos starting centre with Melbourne’s Will Chambers at the World Cup.

“It’s massive and pretty humbling having someone of the stature of Mal to back me,” Dugan said.

“I am looking forward to getting into camp and not letting anyone down.

“I have mixed feelings about the season but it is good to be back with the boys.”

Dugan did not consider himself a starting side guarantee but looked forward to nailing down his spot in camp during his first World Cup campaign.

“This is something very special, and something I will hold pretty close to me,” he said.

“When I have been in the green and gold I don’t think I have let anyone down.

“I think that was a big reason for me to be picked.

“I was a bit up and down form-wise this year with a few niggling injuries but I feel I had a strong Origin period.

“Right now I feel I am ready to go.

“One of my goals is to be there at the end and raise that trophy.”

Australia leaves for Fiji on Wednesday for a World Cup warm-up tournament also featuring PNG.

Every team will play each other in a tri-contest with all three matches lasting a total of 40 minutes at Suva’s ANZ Stadium on Saturday.

It will mark the Kangaroos’ first match in Fiji.