Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga has confirmed that Nathan Cleary has won the race at half-back and will start against Lebanon, but is battling illness, so Daly Cherry-Evans will be on the bench.
Meninga put the speculation to bed while speaking to Fox League on Thursday, revealing that Cherry-Evans is on standby for Cleary but could also provide cover for Cameron Munster, who has a problem.
He added that “there is a bit of doubt” over Cleary and “injury issues” with Munster and with skipper James Tedesco.
“(Cherry-Evans) is sitting there in case we need him,” Meninga said.
Ben Hunt is resting, while Regan Campbell-Gillard is still battling a leg injury.
When asked if the quarter-final line-up will be the team that advances with the exception of Hunt and Campbell-Gillard and if Hunt returns Cherry-Evans will not play, Meninga said: “That’s what we’re looking at At this moment. “
Meanwhile, New Zealand enforcer Jared Waerea-Hargreaves will miss the Kiwis’ quarter-final clash with Fiji after being charged with a high tackle against Ireland.
He was booked for the incident and received a one-match ban for a Grade A high tackle.
Read the World Cup and Late Mail team lists below.
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SATURDAY NOVEMBER 5
Australia vs Lebanon 6:30 AEDT at John Smith’s Stadium, Huddersfield
Team Australia(in alphabetical order): Josh Addo-Carr, Patrick Carrigan, Daly Cherry-Evans, Nathan Cleary, Lindsay Collins, Reuben Cotter, Angus Crichton, Tin Fa’asuamaleaui, Campbell Graham, Harry Grant, Valentine Holmes, Liam Martin, Latrell Mitchell, Cameron Munster, Cameron Murray , James Tedesco, Jake Trbojevic, Jack Wighton, Isaah Yeo
late mail: Coach Mal Meninga confirmed that “Nathan plays seven” and “DCE is at No. 14 (bench utility) his week.” he said Ben Hunt is enjoying a rest while Harry Grant will play 80 minutes “to improve his fitness”. Meninga also revealed that Cleary is “a bit sick at the moment” and both Cameron Munster i James Tedesco “We have some serious injuries that we might need to rest during the game, which is why DCE is at #14.” Meninga said Isaac Yeo will start at the block with Cameron Murray leave the bench, while Liam Martin i Angus Crichton will start in the second row. Jake Trbojevic i Abominable body will start close, according to Meninga, and Valentine Holmes will change to wing to allow Jack Wighton to play in the centers. However, it is not all plain sailing for the Kangaroos heading into their clash with Lebanon. Meninga missed a training session during the week due to illness and revealed that some of the players have been affected by the same virus. “We’ve got a few guys who are a bit ripped off at the moment with a virus and a bit of gastro … Most teams have had to put up with that,” he said.
LIKELY KANGAROO TEAM
1. James Tedesco
4. Valentine Holmes
8. Latrell Mitchell
10. Jack Wighton
9. Josh Addo-Carr
7. Cameron Munster
14. Nathan Cleary
18. Physical abuse
20. Harry Grant
5. Jake Trbojevic
17. Angus Crichton
21. Liam Martin
24. Isaac Yeo
2. Daly Cherry-Evans
11. Cameron Murray
13. Patrick Carrigan
15. Lindsay Collins OR 16. Reuben Cotter
Lebanon team: 1. Jacob Kiraz 2. Josh Mansour 16. Reece Robinson 4. Brad Morkos 5. Abbas Miski 6. Adam Doueihi 7. Mitchell Moses 13. James Roumanos 15. Andrew Kazzi 19. Khalil Rahme 11. Elie El-Zakham 12. Charbel Tasipale 17. Jalal Bazzaz 14. Anthony Layoun 8. Kayne Kalache 20. Jaxson Tahme 10. Hanna El-Nachar 3. Bilal Maarbani 18. Khaled Rajab
late mail: To come.
MORE NRL NEWS
NOVEMBER 1 FEEDING FRENZY: These players have the most to gain from a ‘BOTH CAN PLAY’ move: Meninga reveals shock plan to pick Cleary and DCE
WC TALKERS: Star that makes “everything click” is revealed as Mal faces a dilemma
NIGHTMARE SCHEDULE: NRL without stadiums for 57 days during FIFA WC
Trbojevic denies rumors that he wants to leave | 02:50
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 6
England vs Papua New Guinea 1:30am AEDT at DW Stadium, Wigan
Selection of England: 1 Sam Tomkins (c), 2 Tommy Makinson, 3 Kallum Watkins, 4 Herbie Farnworth, 6 Jack Welsby, 8 Tom Burgess, 9 Michael McIlorum, 11 Elliott Whitehead, 12 John Bateman, 13 Victor Radley, 14 Dom Young, 15 Morgan Knowles, 16 Matty Lees, 17 Mike Cooper, 18 Chris Hill, 20 Mike McMeeken, 21 Marc Sneyd, 24 Kai Pearce-Paul
late mail: To come.
Team Papua New Guinea: 8 Wellington Albert, 13 Jacob Alick, 18 Keven Appo, 23 Watson Boas, 9 Edwin Ipape, 24 Zev John, 1 Alex Johnston, 7 Lachlan Lam, 6 Kyle Laybutt, 3 Nene MacDonald, 12 Rhyse Martin (c), 10 Sylvester Namo, 19 Jimmy Ngutlik, 4 Justin Olam, 11 Nixon Putt, 15 Daniel Russell, 22 Jeremiah Simbiken, 20 Rodrick Tai, 16 McKenzie Yei
Advance mail: To come.
New Zealand vs Fiji 06:30 AEDT at MKM Stadium, Hull
New Zealand team: TBC
Advance mail: Prop Jared Wire-Hargreaves he has been suspended for one match for a high tackle against Ireland which saw him commit the sin.
Team Fiji: TBC
late mail: To come.
Jared Waerea-Hargreaves could be suspended for that high shot. Source: supplied
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MONDAY, NOVEMBER 7
Tonga vs Samoa 1:30 AEDT at Halliwell Jones Stadium, Warrington
Team Tonga: TBC
late mail: To come.
Team Samoa: TBC
late mail: To come.