Soccer

Australia’s best hope for World Cup? Their own Roo-ney

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Roger the Kangaroo spends his days honing his soccer skills.Caters News Agency
Caters News Agency
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Caters News Agency
Caters News Agency
Caters News Agency
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Caters News Agency
Caters News Agency
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Australia’s secret World Cup weapon looks ready to hop into action.

Roger the Kangaroo — not to be confused with England star Wayne Rooney — is in training mode at his home sanctuary in Alice Springs, Australia, as the World Cup kicks off Thursday.

Australia, whose national team is known as the Socceroos, is the lowest-ranked squad in the tournament, and just may be in the market for a rangy 7-foot goalie with incredible leaping ability and a love of the game.

Chris Barns, owner of the kangaroo sanctuary, says the soccer practice is calming for alpha males such as Roger, whose favorite move is to clutch the ball in his paws, then drop it onto his foot for a volley.