Kangaroos last match statistics
Australia had a very dominant game against Italy last week with more than half the team scoring a try and Nathan Cleary kicking nine of 11 conversions.
Here is a look at some stats from that game which the Aussies won 66-6.
Inside the change rooms
The Australian change rooms ahead of the Kangaroos quarter-final against Lebanon.Credit:Getty
An Australian jersey ahead of the quarter-finals.Credit:Getty
Lebanon’s change room ahead of their game against Australia.Credit:Getty
What Mal had to say ahead of the match
Kangaroos’ coach Mal Meninga spoke ahead of the game, here is what he had to say about Nathan Cleary securing the halfback role for today’s game.
Battle of the halfbacks
By Dan Walsh
Nathan Cleary has claimed the Kangaroos’ halfback role over Daly Cherry-Evans as Mal Meninga relies on video footage and his assistant coaches to steer Australia into the World Cup’s sudden death stages after falling ill.
Cleary ran the Kangaroos’ main opposed field session before Friday’s (6.30am Saturday AEDT) quarter-final clash against Lebanon from first-receiver, with Cherry-Evans to take up the bench utility role in place of the rested Ben Hunt.
Nathan Cleary and Daly Cherry-Evans have been sharing the halfback positions for the past few games.
Tournament regulations required Australia’s 19-man squad for the Cedars game to be named late on Wednesday evening Australian time, and for the second straight week Meninga has named his side in alphabetical order.
Despite the subterfuge, Cleary’s turn in the green and gold is almost certainly at hand.
The Kangaroos’ key training run offered a clear picture of a starting 13 who ran opposite the rest of the squad for large portions of the session in Manchester.
Cherry-Evans slotted into both dummy half and five-eighth at times in a pointer to the utility role he has previously filled for Australia and Queensland.
Today’s squads
Ahead of quick off, let’s take a quick look at the squads that were announced for both Australia and Lebanon on Friday.
Good morning
Good morning, and welcome to our live coverage of the quarter-final between Australia and Lebanon for the 2022 Rugby League World Cup.
Billie Eder here to take you through all the action of the morning, and it’s looking to be a more challenging game for the Aussies at John Smith Stadium.
The Kangaroos go in as the favourites against Lebanon who are paying $81 for the win, but they’re a strong team who have won their past two matches after losing their first match to New Zealand.
Australia has the upper-hand with three wins in the bag and a team that seems to have all the solutions, but it will be a good test for them.
Kick off is at 6:30am AEDT, so grab a coffee or two, and get ready for the match.
