James Tedesco will captain Australia for the first time since 2023 after Kevin Walters named a new-look Kangaroos team to face Fiji at the Rugby League World Cup, with Bradman Best, Sam Walker, Blayke Brailey and David Fifita all set to make their Kangaroos debuts at Suncorp Stadium on Sunday.
The Kangaroos coach named his side for the Pool A clash on Tuesday 20 October, the NRL announced. Kick-off is 7.05pm AEST (8.05pm AEDT) on Sunday 25 October in Brisbane.
Tedesco, the Sydney Roosters’ premiership-winning captain and Clive Churchill Medallist, comes in at fullback after Reece Walsh started there in the 24-22 win over New Zealand in the tournament opener. Walsh drops to the interchange.
Best, Walker and Brailey will play their first Tests, while Fifita makes his Kangaroos debut after playing four Tests for Tonga at the 2022 World Cup, according to the NRL’s official team lists.
“Fiji have shown what they are capable of with a good performance in their opening game and we know they’ll come out hard and fast on Sunday. We’re expecting another physical contest, and we’ll be prepared to meet that challenge,” Walters said.
“We’re very keen to see what some of the new faces in the team can bring. Each of them has earned the opportunity to pull on the Kangaroos jersey and they have a chance to put their best foot forward for the remainder of the tournament with a strong performance on Sunday.”
Read more: Jack Bostock Hat-Trick Seals Kangaroos 24-22 World Cup Win
Yeo, Grant and Martin rested
Regular captain Isaah Yeo is rested along with Harry Grant and Liam Martin, with Cameron Murray moving to lock. Reuben Cotter makes his first start of the tournament in the second row, and Penrith’s Lindsay Smith joins Keaon Koloamatangi in the front row.
Tom Dearden starts at five-eighth after coming on against the Kiwis when Mitchell Moses was injured, and Walker partners him in the halves. Fa’asuamaleaui, Jacob Preston, Patrick Carrigan, Cameron Munster, Walsh and Latrell Mitchell all move from the starting side to the interchange, the NRL said.
Read more: Mitchell Moses Ruled Out of World Cup With Calf Tear
Kangaroos team to play Fiji
- 1. James Tedesco (c)
- 2. Jack Bostock
- 3. Kotoni Staggs
- 4. Bradman Best
- 5. Tom Trbojevic
- 6. Tom Dearden
- 7. Sam Walker
- 8. Keaon Koloamatangi
- 9. Blayke Brailey
- 10. Lindsay Smith
- 11. David Fifita
- 12. Reuben Cotter
- 13. Cameron Murray
Interchange
- 14. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui
- 15. Jacob Preston
- 16. Patrick Carrigan
- 17. Cameron Munster
- 18. Reece Walsh
- 19. Latrell Mitchell
Reserves
- Liam Martin
- Harry Grant
- Isaah Yeo
- Ethan Strange
Fiji unchanged
Fiji have named the same squad that beat the Cook Islands 40-12 in their opener. Api Koroisau captains the Bati, and halfback Brandon Wakeham, man of the match last week, again wears the No.7. The match will be shown live in Australia on Seven and 7plus.
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