Manchester: Reagan Campbell-Gillard and Ben Hunt have won recalls for the Kangaroos’ World Cup semi-final showdown against New Zealand after coach Mal Meninga settled on some “difficult” selection calls.
It means – barring injury – that veteran Daly Cherry-Evans has almost certainly played the final World Cup game of his decorated career.
Campbell-Gillard (cork) and Hunt (rested) missed Australia’s quarterfinal win against Lebanon and are back in the 19-man squad at the expense of Lindsay Collins and Campbell Graham.
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The squad has again been named in alphabetical order but Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga confirmed to foxsports.com.au that Campbell-Gillard will play.
“Once again it has been extremely difficult to leave out players who have performed very well in our colours,” Meninga said.
“This is our most important game of the World Cup for us and a great challenge against the calibre of the NZ side.
“I’m happy with our performances so far, but we all know we need to improve.”
Cherry-Evans is expected to be the 18th man, with Harry Grant taking his spot on the bench and Hunt starting.
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Hookers Hunt and Grant worked in tandem in Queensland’s triumphant State of Origin series and are expected to play a similar role against the Kiwis.
“Mal has indicated to myself and Harry that he would like us playing and that he enjoys us playing together and bringing a lot of energy,” Hunt said.
“I feel like we’ve both done enough to be in the side.
“I prefer to start, I hate sitting on the bench with nerves and watching the start of the game when you can’t contribute so I try to be out there.
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“I definitely think (the bench role) suits Harry a lot better. We can take the sting out of the game a bit and just defend really well and Harry can come on when there’s a bit more pace around the ruck for him and that’s what he’s really good at, getting out of dummy-half and playing quick.”
Hunt believes the game will be decided by which pack dominates and he backed the selection of non-nonsense prop Campbell-Gillard.
“He brings a lot of experience and a real hard nose in the middle. He’s straight up and down Reggie, he runs hard and tackles hard and he can play big minutes,” Hunt said.
“He’s a guy that deserves to be back on the side and he’ll do a great job.
“It’s gonna be a very physical game – I’m thinking of it as an Origin game.
“We have to dominate their food pack, obviously they’re very and I think that’s where it’s won.”
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KANGAROOS SIDE (alphabetical order)
Josh Addo-Carr
Reagan Campbell-Gillard
Patrick Carrigan
Daly Cherry-Evans
Nathan Cleary
Reuben Cotter
Angus Crichton
Tino Fa’asuamaleaui
Harry Grant
Valentine Holmes
Ben Hunt
Liam Martin
Latrell Mitchell
Cameron Munster
Cameron Murray
James Tedesco
Jake Trbojevic
Jack Wighton
Isaah Yeo
