Australia lead Fiji 6-4 in their World Cup opener at Headingley in Leeds.
Fiji got off to a dream start with five-eighth Sitiveni Moceidreke putting in a grubber on a dime for Semi Valemei to dot down inches from the dead ball line.
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Jeremiah Nanai continued his brilliant try-scoring year with one on debut for Australia as he sliced through some flimsy defence to give the Kangaroos the lead.
MATCH PREVIEW
Seven players will make their Kangaroos debut as Australia take on Fiji to open their Rugby League World Cup campaign.
Murray Taulagi, Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, Angus Crichton, Jeremiah Nanai, Harry Grant, Reuben Cotter and Pat Carrigan will all don the green and gold jersey for the first time.
Meanwhile star fullback James Tedesco will also make his captaincy debut with Cameron Murray assisting him as vice-captain.
Coach Mal Meninga made the call to rest Panthers trio Nathan Cleary, Liam Martin and Isaah Yeo as well as Eels prop Reagan Campbell-Gillard given they all played in the NRL grand final a fortnight ago.
That means Manly veteran and the incumbent halfback Daly Cherry-Evans gets first shot at the hotly-contested position.
Meninga will follow the Queensland Maroons blueprint with a one-two punch hooking combination of Ben Hunt and Harry Grant, while Jack Wighton’s versatility has landed him a spot on the bench too.
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Fiji have endured a disrupted preparation with coach Joe Rabele being hospitalised after falling ill.
Adding to their woes, Dragons powerhouse Mikaele Ravalawa has pulled out of the tournament due to a hamstring injury, while Pio Seci and Joseph Ratuvakacereivalu also won’t play.
But there’s still plenty to get excited out with Panthers rising star Sunia Turuva starting at fullback, try-scoring freak Maika Sivo on the wing, the barnstorming Viliame Kikau in the second row and the crafty Api Koroisau at hooker.
TEAMS
Australia: 1. James Tedesco (c) 9. Josh Addo-Carr 8. Latrell Mitchell 4. Valentine Holmes 23. Murray Taulagi 7. Cameron Munster 2. Daly Cherry-Evans 18. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui 3. Ben Hunt 5. Jake Trbojevic 17. Angus Crichton 22. Jeremiah Nanai 11. Cameron Murray. Interchange: 20. Harry Grant 16. Reuben Cotter 13. Patrick Carrigan 10. Jack Wighton Reserve: 12. Matt Burton
Fiji: 1. Sunia Turuva 5. Miteli Vulikijapani 4. Kevin Naiqama (c) 19. Semi Valemei 2. Maika Sivo 6. Sitiveni Moceidreke 7. Brandon Wakeham 17. King Vuniyayawa 9. Apisai Koroisau 13. Tui Kamikamica 12.Viliame Kikau 22. Josh Wong 16. Lamar Manuel-Liolevave. Interchange: 14. Penioni Tagituimu 23.Jowasa Drodrolagi 10. Ben Nakubuwai, 11.Taniela Sadrugu. Reserve: 18.Netane Masima
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