Nathan Cleary looks to have cemented his spot at halfback with a masterclass as Australia thrashed Scotland 84-0 on Saturday.
Josh Addo-Carr delivered an emphatic statement with four tries as the Kangaroos clinched a quarterfinal berth, but there are still several positions up for grabs.
Read on for the key talking points from Australia’s World Cup win over Scotland.
Watch every match of the Rugby League World Cup LIVE & Exclusive to Fox Sports, on Kayo. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >
CLEARY IN CHARGE
Braith Anasta warned if Nathan Cleary put on a masterclass against the Scots then Daly Cherry-Evans may never play for Australia again.
Cleary held up his end of the bargain as the halfback delivered one of the most dominant performances in World Cup history.
On debut, the 24-year-old superstar finished with 28 points, three linebreak assists, three try assists and scored one of his own.
Cleary is locked in a heated battle with veteran Cherry-Evans and coach Mal Meninga has given no indication of which way he’s leaning for the knockout stages.
But Damien Cook, who has played alongside both, believes Cleary’s performance means he must be picked alongside Cameron Munster in the halves.
“I like the halves of Nat and Munster there going into the quarterfinals,” Cook said on Fox League.
Cleary Masterclass in Kangaroos Debut! | 01:38
“You want to make sure you’re ready to go for the quarterfinals, so you need to play some more game time together.
“Maybe you keep Cherry-Evans on the bench and start these two again to get their combination right and if we’re going well against Italy you can bring one of them off.”
Anasta declared Meninga “has to” keep the halves combination for the rest of the tournament, while Greg Alexander offered an alternative.
“The thing Mal might do is give Munster a rest against Italy and then bring him back for the quarters and Cleary and Munster would still spend a fair bit of time in training working on their combinations,” he said.
FOXX LAUGHS LAST
Revenge is a dish best served cold… or in the form of six tries in two matches for your country after being snubbed at state level.
Addo-Carr was a controversial omission from the New South Wales squad this year after playing the previous four State of Origin series.
Blues coach Brad Fittler overlooked Addo-Carr following his move in 2022 from perennial contenders Melbourne to the struggling Bulldogs.
Addo-Carr vowed to put his head down to ensure he held onto his Kangaroos jersey for the World Cup and coach Mal Meninga stuck with his incumbent winger.
The 27-year-old has repaid the faith, scoring two tries in the opener against Fiji and backing it up with an incredible four-try haul against the Scots.
“When he’s in open space, there is no one better,” Braith Anasta said on Fox League.
Addo-Carr saved his best for last when he chased down his own kick to score in the corner with only centimetres to spare.
MORE NRL NEWS
AUS: Cleary tears Scots to shreds but Addo-Carr steals the show in 84-0 bloodbath
WC LATE MAIL: PNG dealt brutal dual blow as Origin flyer tournament ends
TRANSFER CENTRE: Peachey & Staines swap deal confirmed as Dragons re-sign Moga
RUTHLESS: Manly bloodletting continues as Fulton blindsided in ruthless axing
“It just happened so quick, I just pulled it out of the hat I suppose, yeah it was good,” Addo-Carr said on Fox League.
“When everyone does their job it makes mine a lot easier, all I’ve got to do is catch the ball and run fast.
“I love pulling this jersey on and representing my family and the country that we all love.
“There have been some great Kangaroos sides in the past and for us boys, we’re a young team and it’s our time together and we want to build our destiny in the Kangaroos jersey.”
POSITIONS UP FOR GRABS
The battle is heating up for who will start at hooker in the knockout stages, while Mal Meninga has an embarrassment of riches in the centres.
Storm No. 9 Harry Grant started against Scotland after Ben Hunt earned first crack at hooker against Fiji last week.
Grant starred off the bench in the Kangaroos tournament opener but the roles were reversed this week.
Hunt replaced Grant after 34 minutes and set up three tries, while also scoring one of his own.
“The introduction of Ben Hunt, he just adds a different dynamic around the ruck, what an exciting talent he is,” Ian Henderson said on Fox League.
“He is, he offers something different, if you want to break the game up, throw him on,” Jonathan Davies responded.
MORE NRL NEWS
HOOPS: Inside secret Seibold meetings that triggered bombshell Hasler switch
TOP 7: Biggest mid-season transfers in 2022 under NRL’s controversial system
‘SELFISH’: Dragons respond as chairman’s shock Brett Finch letter revealed
DCE DONE: Cleary tipped to take Kangaroos jersey and never give it back
‘APPALLED’: Nightclub breaks silence over Aussie league player’s death
‘SHOCKED’: Manly boycotter on Hasler’s sacking and why he has no regrets
In the centres, good luck picking between Jack Wighton, Matt Burton and Val Holmes.
Latrell Mitchell has a mortgage on one of the centre spots but Wighton and Burton both impressed against Scotland.
Wighton scored two tries and set up another two, while Burton threw the last pass in several breakaway tries.
Holmes enjoyed a strong performance against Fiji and it’s going to prove a selection headache for Meninga.
But Damien Cook declared it’s a race for the right centre spot because Mitchell has the left side locked down.
“Latrell and Addo-Carr have played Origin together, they have that combination so you definitely play them in the knockout stages,” Cook said on Fox League.
Get all the latest NRL news, highlights and analysis delivered straight to your inbox with Fox Sports Sportmail. Sign up now!!!
