How the teams shape up
Australia are the reigning champions and will go into their opening match as overwhelming favourites.
They defeated England 6-0 in the final of the 2017 tournament. Trivia question. Who crossed over for the only try of the match?
Hint … it’s a forward. If you guessed Boyd Cordner, bravo.
Coach Mal Maninga has rested players who featured in the recent NRL grand final, so Daly Cherry-Evans will get first crack at halfback. Looking through the team, it’s a seriously strong Australian outfit. I wouldn’t be surprised if they put on 50 against Fiji.
Viliame Kikau, Api Koroisau, Maiko Sivo, Tui Kamikamica are the ones to watch out for. Kevin Naiqama is the skipper.
The Fijian flyer taking on Australia while waiting for call-up to Ukraine conflict
By Dan Walsh
Mitieli Vulikijapani has been anticipating a call-up to peacekeeping duties in Ukraine all year but his immediate focus is marking Kangaroos speedster Josh Addo-Carr at the World Cup after being drafted into the Fiji squad.
Vulikijapani, 28, was a late addition to the side due to injury but the Hull FC flyer has impressed enough to claim the right-wing spot for the Bati’s tournament opener in Leeds on Saturday (Sunday AEDT).
He came to rugby league via Fiji’s armed forces and playing sevens rugby in the island nation. His cousin encouraged him to join him in the UK, where Vulikijapani joined the 47th Regiment Royal Artillery as a gunner.
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine means Vulikijapani could be called into action as a peacekeeper, as per the terms of his release to play professional rugby league with Hull and now Fiji.
“This is a dream come true to be playing in a World Cup and playing for Fiji,” Vulikijapani told the Herald.
How will this match play out?
Hello and welcome
By Tom Decent
Good morning rugby league fans.
Whether you’re getting up early on this Sunday morning, or still kicking on after a big Saturday evening – yes I’m looking at you Sydney racing fans – the bottom line is you’re all here and that’s a good thing.
It’s Tom Decent here in the graveyard shift from Sydney ready to take you through all the action of Australia’s first match at the Rugby League World Cup against Fiji.
Our man on the ground in the UK, Dan Walsh, will also share plenty of insights throughout the match.
Stay tuned.
Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga in camp.Credit:NRL Photos
