'Ill' Cleary wins halfback spot as virus hits camp

2 years ago 113

Nathan Cleary volition commencement astatine halfback for the Kangaroos during the knockout signifier of the World Cup, Mal Meninga has revealed, portion the Kangaroos manager confirmed the Aussie campy has been deed by unwellness successful the pb up to their 4th last against Lebanon.

Cleary volition beryllium the Australian halfback aft beating Daly Cherry-Evans for the main playmaking role, but Meninga said the Queenslander has trained successful a assortment of positions during the week.

Meninga besides revealed there's immoderate uncertainty implicit the fittingness of Cameron Munster and James Tedesco, portion suggesting Jack Wighton volition play successful the centres with Valentine Holmes much than apt to play connected the wing.

"Nathan is playing seven," Meninga told Fox Sports.

"We made that decision. We conscionable enactment everything successful alphabetical bid due to the fact that everyone other does. But yeah, Nathan is starting astatine seven.

"DCE is astatine 14 this week. We person fixed Harry Grant 80 minutes of footy this week to get his lucifer fittingness up.

"Nathan is simply a spot sick astatine the infinitesimal - we're not rather definite however helium is going to travel through. Cameron Munster and James Tedesco person immoderate niggly injuries truthful we mightiness request to remainder them done the game."

It's understood Munster spent clip astatine fullback during the week successful a motion that helium could determination determination if Tedesco is forced disconnected oregon rested astatine immoderate constituent against the Cedars. The Australia manager missed grooming earlier this week done unwellness and revealed that the campy had been affected by a virus.

"We person a fewer guys who are a small spot crook astatine the infinitesimal with a microorganism and a spot of gastro," Meninga said.

"Most teams person had to endure that."

Meninga confirmed that Ben Hunt would apt instrumentality for the semi last should Australia marque it that far. His instrumentality would travel astatine the disbursal of Cherry-Evans.

"Benny is conscionable rested - helium played 80 minutes past week," Meninga said.

"We volition marque a determination whether we spell with some hookers adjacent week against New Zealand. I similar that combo.

"DCE is chiefly connected the seat …. [because] determination is simply a small spot of uncertainty connected Nath and determination are immoderate wounded issues with Cameron Munster and James Tedesco.

"He is conscionable sitting determination successful lawsuit we request him."

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