Mal Meninga has thrown a curve-ball by announcing a 19-man Australian team in alphabetical order for their final pool game against Italy.
Both Daly Cherry-Evans and Nathan Cleary have been named and are expected to play in the halves together as they vie for the halfback role for the knockout stages.
Cameron Munster has been rested and will partner either Cleary or Cherry-Evans in the quarterfinal, which is expected to be against Lebanon.
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“Meninga has named a strong squad for the final pool match of the Rugby League World Cup 2021, with a view to further honing the team ahead of the quarter finals,” the Kangaroos released in a statement.
“I was very pleased with the performance against Scotland last week,” Meninga said. “Defensively, we were outstanding, and I’m looking forward to seeing more cohesion with the ball.
“All players in the squad will have played at least two matches in the pool stages, which is extremely important ahead of the quarter finals and hopefully beyond.”
Both skipper James Tedesco and vice captains Isaah Yeo and Cameron Murray were named in the side with the latter two expected to start in the back row.
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Latrell Mitchell and Valentine Holmes are tipped to start in the centres, with Matt Burton and Jack Wighton also options.
However, Wighton could find himself on the bench when the final team is confirmed.
Holmes could also find himself vying for a wing spot with Campbell Graham and Murray Taulagi.
The make-up of the pack is less certain with forwards Reagan Campbell-Gillard, Patrick Carrigan, Lindsay Collins, Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, Liam Martin and Jeremiah Nanai all in line to start, while those that miss out will vie for bench spots.
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Meanwhile, Reuben Cotter is tipped to spend time at dummy-half as Ben Hunt’s back-up, with Harry Grant rested in a sign he is likely to start at hooker in the quarterfinal.
The team contains 19 players so two will miss out on the final 17 to be confirmed closer to kick-off.
Kangaroos team to face Italy (alphabetical order): 12. Matt Burton, 6. Reagan Campbell-Gillard, 13. Patrick Carrigan, 2. Daly Cherry-Evans, 14. Nathan Cleary, 15. Lindsay Collins, 16. Reuben Cotter, 18. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, 19. Campbell Graham, 4. Valentine Holmes, 3. Ben Hunt, 21. Liam Martin, 8. Latrell Mitchell, 11. Cameron Murray (vc), 22. Jeremiah Nanai, 23. Murray Taulagi, 1. James Tedesco (c), 10. Jack Wighton, 24. Isaah Yeo (vc).
