Reece Walsh has beaten James Tedesco to the Kangaroos No.1 jersey and Mitchell Moses has won the race for halfback, with Kevin Walters naming his side for Thursday night’s Rugby League World Cup opener against New Zealand. Premiership-winning Roosters pair Tedesco and Sam Walker are both outside the top 17 for the clash at Allianz Stadium.
The team, published on Tuesday afternoon by Nine and Fox Sports, has Moses partnering Cameron Munster in the halves, with Tedesco named at 21 and Walker at 22 in the 22-man list.
Walsh keeps the No.1 jersey
Tedesco is coming off a premiership with the Roosters and the Clive Churchill Medal, but Walters has stuck with Walsh, the incumbent Kangaroos fullback from last year’s 3-0 Ashes series win in the UK.
Kangaroos captain Isaah Yeo hinted at the call on Monday, telling reporters that Tedesco’s training had been managed after the grand final. “It’s been a big couple of weeks for Ted, so probably just trying to limit a bit of his training for this week,†Yeo said, as reported by Nine.
Read more: Kangaroos Squad Named for World Cup, Sam Walker Picked
Moses wins the No.7 race
With Nathan Cleary sidelined by a leg injury, Moses was in a three-way battle with Walker and Tom Dearden for the halfback jumper. The Eels captain gets the start, while Dearden is named on the interchange at 14.
Bulldogs back-rower Jacob Preston is set to make his Kangaroos debut in the starting side, while Dolphins flyer Jack Bostock is also in line for a debut on the wing.
Read more: Kiwis World Cup Squad Named, Ponga and Gagai Among Debutants
Kotoni Staggs gets the nod at centre alongside Latrell Mitchell, with Knights centre Bradman Best named at 19. Fox Sports also pointed to Blayke Brailey being among the reserves, noting Harry Grant may have to play the full 80 minutes at hooker unless Dearden fills in there.
Kangaroos team v New Zealand
1. Reece Walsh
2. Jack Bostock
3. Latrell Mitchell
4. Kotoni Staggs
5. Tom Trbojevic
6. Cameron Munster
7. Mitchell Moses
8. Patrick Carrigan
9. Harry Grant
10. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui
11. Jacob Preston
12. Liam Martin
13. Isaah Yeo (c)
14. Tom Dearden
15. Cameron Murray
16. Reuben Cotter
17. Keaon Koloamatangi
18. David Fifita
19. Bradman Best
20. Blayke Brailey
21. James Tedesco
22. Sam Walker
Ponga at fullback for the Kiwis
New Zealand have named Kalyn Ponga at fullback for his Kiwis debut, with Jahrome Hughes and Kodi Nikorima in the halves and James Fisher-Harris captaining the side.
1. Kalyn Ponga
2. Jamayne Isaako
3. Dane Gagai
4. Casey McLean
5. Ronaldo Mulitalo
6. Kodi Nikorima
7. Jahrome Hughes
8. James Fisher-Harris (c)
9. Jeremy Marshall-King
10. Moses Leota
11. Isaiah Papali’i
12. Briton Nikora
13. Joseph Tapine
14. Te Maire Martin
15. Naufahu Whyte
16. Erin Clark
17. Xavier Willison
18. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad
19. Keano Kini
20. Scott Sorensen
21. Leo Thompson
22. Jacob Laban
What’s next
Australia and New Zealand open the tournament at Allianz Stadium in Sydney on Thursday 15 October, with kick-off at 8.05pm (AEDT). The Kangaroos then play Fiji in Brisbane and the Cook Islands in Townsville in the group stage.
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