Meninga makes 'difficult' call with brutal axing

2 years ago 84

Australia manager Mal Meninga has each but confirmed Daly Cherry-Evans volition beryllium axed from the squad for Saturday's Rugby League World Cup blockbuster.

The Kangaroos instrumentality connected New Zealand astatine 6.45am (AEDT) successful a mouthwatering clash successful Leeds that volition determine which trans-Tasman rival progresses to the tourney decider, to play either England oregon Samoa.

But seasoned halfback Cherry-Evans volition person to cheer from the sideline aft the manager revealed to SEN vigor determination is nary country for the 33-year-old successful his first-choice 17.

Nathan Cleary and Cameron Munster person instilled themselves arsenic the Australian halves pairing, portion Ben Hunt volition beryllium recalled to the squad to play the seat inferior role.

Cherry-Evans was connected the seat during Saturday's 48-4 triumph implicit Lebanon, and helium was required to play successful the halves aft Munster moved to fullback to regenerate an injured James Tedesco.

Meninga - barring mid-game injuries - plans to usage Hunt arsenic a one-two operation with Harry Grant astatine hooker, which is what Queensland did successful State of Origin.

"I similar the combinations of Harry and Ben. But I've played Cherry-Evans astatine 14 with the Queensland side, and helium did a terrific job," Meninga said.

"We had him earmarked past week if Harry needed a remainder (Cherry-Evans would) travel connected and play nine, but past Tedesco got a cork truthful we had to usage him astatine five-eighth.

"He is doing everything right, Chez. He's the eventual professional, helium has been large astir the group, he's been highly adjuvant for Nathan Cleary too.

DCE gets archetypal ace astatine Kangaroos' halfback spot

"It's hard to permission him retired each the bloody time."

Australia and New Zealand are the 2 strongest rugby league nations successful the world, but couldn't conscionable successful the World Cup last fixed Tonga was ranked No.2.

Instead the aged sporting foes volition clash successful the penultimate round, and it looms arsenic the crippled of the tournament.

Meninga is wary of the Kiwis battalion - led by NRL superstars Jared Waerea-Hargreaves and Joe Tapine - and wants arsenic overmuch size connected his seat arsenic helium tin for Saturday's game.

"I'm beauteous comfy with our starting 13, that works truly well. We've got (prop) Reagan Campbell-Gillard to travel backmost into the 13, and Ben Hunt is backmost this week due to the fact that we rested him.

"A mates of players mightiness miss retired due to the fact that I'm beauteous keen connected getting those 2 involved.

"We mightiness spell with an all-forward seat this week to counteract the large forwards and the prime of the New Zealand pack."

England and Samoa volition play connected Sunday greeting (AEDT) to determine the 2nd squad successful the final.

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