James Tedesco will get his chance in the green and gold against Fiji next week, with Kangaroos coach Kevin Walters insisting the fullback spot is still up for grabs despite picking Reece Walsh for Thursday night’s Rugby League World Cup opener against New Zealand.
Walters indicated on Wednesday that he had rested Tedesco and halfback Sam Walker after their grand final win with the Roosters, and that he had not settled on a first-choice No.1. “To be honest, I haven’t decided that (fullback) position yet. That’s why we’re here, and they’ll both get an opportunity,” Walters said, as reported by AAP.
“They’re both Clive Churchill medallists – the last two – so I look at it that way. I’m very fortunate to have both of them in the team,” he said. “They’re different players, but I love what they both bring to the team. Teddy’s the more experienced custodian and Reece is on the way up as such.”
Speaking on 2GB on Tuesday afternoon, Walters said Tedesco would play against Fiji in the next pool game, Nine reported. “We know what he brings to the Kangaroos, (but) given the month that he’s had, (give him) a little bit of a rest this week, and we’ll get him out in the green and gold next week against Fiji.”
“It was a tough decision and very hard to tell James. He took it very professionally, and I’m sure he’s just getting himself right, getting the body back into game mode and he’ll play next week.”
Read more: Kangaroos Team Named: Walsh Picked Over Tedesco, Moses at Halfback
Workload behind the call
Walters told SEN that his plan is to give every player in the squad a start during the tournament. “My intention is to give every player in the 23 an opportunity to start in games and get their opportunity,” he said.
“We’ve gone with Reece this week; he gets the first opportunity, but it’s not to say it’s the end opportunity either.”
Read more: Is James Tedesco Now Better Than Billy Slater?
Thursday’s match will be Walsh’s first competitive game in close to two months after an ankle injury at club level. “He has had a good preparation and there’s a few players in that position themselves, so it’s good to get them around the group,” Walters said.
Gould questions the Walsh pick
Not everyone agrees with the call. Phil Gould questioned the selection in a post on X, as reported by Nine. “Selection for the Australian team should be based on form, (and) it should always be a reward for recent performances,” Gould wrote. “Reece Walsh is a superstar on his day. James Tedesco is a superstar every day.”
Moses gets first shot at No.7
Walters said the same thinking was behind starting Mitchell Moses at halfback ahead of Walker, describing Walker’s omission as “more precautionary”. “We’ll give him the first opportunity to wear the No.7 and Sam will get his chance next week,” Walters told 2GB of Moses.
What’s next
Australia face New Zealand at Allianz Stadium in Sydney on Thursday at 8.05pm (AEDT), before meeting Fiji in Brisbane. The Kangaroos have not lost to the Kiwis on Australian soil since 2015, and the World Cup final will be played at Suncorp Stadium on November 26.
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