The Kangaroos team for the Rugby League World Cup final is unchanged, with coach Kevin Walters sticking with the side that thrashed Samoa 44-12 for Sunday’s decider against New Zealand at Suncorp Stadium.
Walters named the same line-up that won the semi-final in Sydney last weekend, the NRL announced on Tuesday afternoon. Reece Walsh keeps the No.1 jersey, Cameron Munster and Tom Dearden stay together in the halves, and Isaah Yeo again captains the side from lock.
Sam Walker, a late call-up to the interchange for the semi-final, keeps his place on the six-man bench alongside Ethan Strange, Keaon Koloamatangi, Cameron Murray, Reuben Cotter and Latrell Mitchell.
James Tedesco is among the reserves, along with Blayke Brailey, Lindsay Smith and David Fifita.
What Kevin Walters said
“We’ve been building with our performances throughout the tournament and we’re in a World Cup Final. This is where you want to be playing at your best and everything in our preparation has focused on getting the best performance on the biggest stage,” Walters said.
Read more: Kangaroos Thrash Samoa 44-12 to Reach World Cup Final
“Making a World Cup Final is hard, and winning a World Cup is even harder. It’s a great challenge against New Zealand, and the players are excited for the opportunity to earn a piece of their own history in the Kangaroos jersey.”
Eight members of the side played in the 2022 World Cup final win over Samoa: Mitchell, Munster, Harry Grant, Pat Carrigan, Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, Yeo, Liam Martin and Murray, according to NRL.com.
Kangaroos team for the World Cup final
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. Sam Walker.
Reserves: 20. Blayke Brailey, 21. Lindsay Smith, 22. James Tedesco, 23. David Fifita.
Kiwis welcome back Ronaldo Mulitalo
New Zealand coach Stacey Jones has made one change to his starting side, with winger Ronaldo Mulitalo returning from a one-match suspension in place of Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, RNZ reported. James Fisher-Harris will again captain the Kiwis.
Read more: James Fisher-Harris Cleared to Play World Cup Final With Warning
Prop Naufahu Whyte has been named on the bench despite failing to finish the semi-final win over Tonga with an ankle injury.
Kiwis: 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. Interchange: 14. Te Maire Martin, 15. Naufahu Whyte, 16. Erin Clark, 17. Xavier Willison.
By the numbers
The Kangaroos have won their last 22 World Cup matches, and the Kiwis have not beaten Australia on Australian soil since 2015. Tom Trbojevic has scored eight tries in four games at this tournament, while Kiwis centre Casey McLean has 16 tries in eight Tests.
Isaako needs one point to break Shaun Johnson’s record for the most points by a New Zealand Test player.
The final kicks off at 6:35pm AEST (7:35pm AEDT) on Sunday 15 November, after the Jillaroos play the Kiwi Ferns in the women’s final. It is live and exclusive on Seven and 7plus in Australia.
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