Kalyn Ponga is set to complete a remarkable recovery from a fractured arm, with the star fullback in line to return for the Kiwis’ semi final clash next week.
Meanwhile, Kangaroos coach Kevin Walters has labelled strike centre Latrell Mitchell as his side’s “forgotten man”.
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Read on for all of the team tips for the World Cup semi finals.
AUSTRALIA
Australia team against Cook Islands: 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) 14. Ethan Strange 15. Keaon Koloamatangi 16. Cameron Murray 17. Reuben Cotter 18. Lindsay Smith 19. James Tedesco 20. Sam Walker 21. Latrell Mitchell 22. David Fifita
Team Tips: One thing’s for sure. The Kangaroos will play their semi final in Sydney next Sunday, but their opponent is yet to be determined. They’ll take on the loser of tonight’s clash between Samoa and Tonga while New Zealand will play the winner. Walters has several line up decisions to make between now and then, notably who will play halfback and fullback. However, Walters also has a secret weapon who has been waiting in the wings. Latrell Mitchell hasn’t played since the World Cup opener, with Bradman Best lining up at left centre in the wins over Fiji and the Cook Islands. Walters doesn’t know who will start but told the SMH that Mitchell will be utilised. “Latrell is a creator. He can do things not many others can on the field,” Walters said. “He’s hard to handle, he’s highly skilful and he brings a lot of presence as a player. “It’s tough because you can only put 13 players on the field at any one time. The last couple of weeks, Bradman has been playing good footy. It was going to be a big call either way. The thing with Latrell is we don’t need to rely on him to pull out the big moments. He’s got the big moments in him, but we can ease the pressure on him, let him play his football, and he can bring himself into the game when he sees the right moments.”
NEW ZEALAND
NZ team against Fiji: 1. Keano Kini 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. Scott Sorensen
Team Tips: In a stunning revelation, Kalyn Ponga is set to be back on deck for the Kiwis next weekend. Ponga suffered a fractured arm just 17 days ago against Australia and underwent surgery. His tournament appeared to be over but according to The Daily Telegraph’s David Riccio, Ponga is in line to play in Saturday’s semi-final. Barring any hiccups during the week, Ponga will replace Keano Kini at fullback with Kini to revert to the six-man bench. As Riccio noted, Sharks star Blayke Brailey was sidelined for only three weeks after suffering a broken forearm earlier in the NRL season. “There’s a lot of optimism. It has been done before,” Riccio said on Channel 7. England legend James Graham believes the return of Ponga is massive for the Kiwis’ World Cup bid. “Kalyn Ponga is arguably the tournament’s best player. We saw that contribution in the opener and it just shows what the jersey means to him,” Graham said. “I think he can take New Zealand the whole way.”
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