Kevin Walters has kept Reece Walsh at fullback and Tom Dearden at halfback for the Kangaroos’ Rugby League World Cup semi-final against Samoa, with Latrell Mitchell recalled to the bench and James Tedesco again among the interchange.
Walters named an unchanged starting 13 from the 66-6 win over Cook Islands in Townsville last Saturday night, the NRL announced on Tuesday afternoon. The only change to the 19 is Mitchell, who wears the No.18 jersey after sitting out the final Pool A game.
Australia play Samoa at Allianz Stadium in Sydney on Sunday 8 November, with kick-off at 8:05pm AEDT.
Walsh and Dearden hold their spots
Walsh keeps the No.1 jersey after setting up five tries against Cook Islands, The Sydney Morning Herald reported, with Tedesco named on the bench in the No.19.
Cameron Munster and Dearden stay together in the halves, while Sam Walker is again listed among the reserves in the No.21 jersey.
Read more: Reece Walsh Says Kangaroos Forwards Have Been ‘Disrespected’
Compared with the team named for Cook Islands, Lindsay Smith moves from the bench to the reserves and David Fifita, a reserve last week, is not in the 22, according to the earlier NRL team release.
The semi-final is part of a double-header at Allianz Stadium, with the Jillaroos taking on Fiji in the women’s semi-final before the Kangaroos and Samoa. The match will be shown live on Seven and 7plus in Australia.
Read more: Junior Paulo Cleared to Face Kangaroos in World Cup Semi-Final
What Walters said
“Samoa were very impressive in a physical battle which had a lot of emotion last weekend against Tonga and we know we are in for a tough contest on Sunday night,” Walters said in the NRL release.
“It’s going to be a great occasion in front of a full house at Allianz Stadium, and we’ve got to meet the occasion with our best performance of the tournament.”
Kangaroos team to play Samoa
1. Reece Walsh
2. Jack Bostock
3. Kotoni Staggs
4. Bradman Best
5. Tom Trbojevic
6. Cameron Munster
7. Tom Dearden
8. Patrick Carrigan
9. Harry Grant
10. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui
11. Jacob Preston
12. Liam Martin
13. Isaah Yeo (c)
Interchange: 14. Ethan Strange, 15. Keaon Koloamatangi, 16. Cameron Murray, 17. Reuben Cotter, 18. Latrell Mitchell, 19. James Tedesco
Reserves: 20. Lindsay Smith, 21. Sam Walker, 22. Blayke Brailey
More News
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- Junior Paulo Cleared to Face Kangaroos in World Cup Semi-Final
- Kangaroos Thump Cook Islands 66-6 as Bostock, Trbojevic Hit Hat-Tricks
- Kangaroos Team: Sam Walker Dropped as Dearden Partners Munster
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