talking points, semi finals, who will be picked at fullback for Kangaroos, big halfback call, Sam Walker, NZ the best forward pack of all time, opinion, analysis, news

The group stage is over. Bring on the semis.

Australia will take on Samoa while New Zealand and Tonga will do battle in two blockbuster finals fixtures.

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Kevin Walters has several superstars waiting in the wings but is there a chance the likes of James Tedesco and Latrell Mitchell remain sidelined?

Tonga made a statement in a high quality clash against Samoa. Have they got what it takes to win it all?

Meanwhile, a NRL star has delivered the Kiwis a massive compliment as New Zealand prepare to welcome back fullback Kalyn Ponga in what is a huge boost.

Read on for all of the talking points out of the final week of World Cup group fixtures!

GREATS’ PREDICTION ON AUSSIE SEMI-FINAL LINE UP — WITH ONE TEDDY TWIST

Given the amount of talent who sat on the sideline in the 66-6 win over the Cook Islands, you’d think there will be at least a couple of changes for the semi-final against Samoa.

However, according to a few NRL greats, coach Kevin Walters should keep the line up as is.

Fullback Reece Walsh was outstanding in the win, recording five try assists while Tom Dearden led the way at halfback.

Those are the two positions which Walters will give much thought to before teams are announced on Tuesday.

Walsh or James Tedesco for fullback. Dearden or Sam Walker for the No. 7 jersey.

Former Kangaroos rep Brent Tate thinks the Australian coach shouldn’t tinker with the spine.

”It’s gonna depend on how these guys pulled up tonight but I think the spine that we saw tonight will be the spine going into the semi-finals next week,” Tate said on Channel 7.

“I guess we saw Reece Walsh cop a couple of bumps and bruises but he said he’s OK.

“It’s important for Kevvie to keep that spine. I thought they connected really well. I thought Tommy Dearden and Harry Grant were excellent, so I don’t think he’ll tinker with that team too much.”

Luke Keary and Ryan Papenhuyzen also thinks the spine of Walsh (fullback), Cam Munster (5/8), Dearden (halfback) and Harry Grant (hooker) should be the 1,6,7,9 against Samoa.

Although, Papenhuyzen added an asterisk to that claim if the rain hits Allianz Stadium next weekend.

“I would keep the spine the same as it is after tonight,” the ex-Storm fullback said.

“A bit of a rogue thought, but if it is raining in the next game, you’ve got to consider putting Teddy out there.

“You’ve got to be a bit safer in the rain, and the rain brings the ruck into the game more when it’s wet.

“So, if you’re versing a big pack and you don’t have a big pack, you’re gonna be a lot more conservative, build the pressure through the middle, get through your sets, get to a good kick, make the other team make errors down their end.”

While Keary believes the spine shouldn’t change, he’d consider a couple of other switches.

“I think they have to look at moving Isaah Yeo up front. I don’t think they can play their normal traditional footy against Tonga, Samoa or New Zealand,” Keary said.

“I think Cam Murray starts in that at lock position. I’d start Yeo up front, and then I’d bring Ethan Strange on for a bit more around the ruck off the bench.

“I think this was his best team tonight but the one guy I think he needs to look at is Latrell Mitchell.

“We’re talking about X-factor in this team. We know New Zealand have it in spades as well as Tonga and Samoa.

“The one guy that can break a game open from anywhere is Latrell.”

Mitchell hasn’t played since the opener against the Kiwis but Walters is set to utilise the Souths star in their next game, whether that be off the bench or recalling Mitchell into the starting line up.

“It’s tough because you can only put 13 players on the field at any one time. The last couple of weeks, Bradman (Best) has been playing good footy,” Walters told the SMH.

“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.”

POSITIVE KANGAROOS SIGN AMID QUERY THAT LINGERS

The Kangaroos will enter next week’s World Cup semi-finals unbeaten through the pool stage, and whether fairly or unfairly, question marks over their form remain.

Australia have hardly been convincing en route to the semis.

It’s fair to say the NZ and Fiji forwards won the battle in the middle although the Kangaroos were able to win those tight contests.

Against the Cook Islands in Townsville, the Kangaroos flexed their muscles in the second half but there were several shaky moments early on.

The form of the Aussie forward pack have come under some criticism, with one former NRL stars Brent Tate and Luke Keary worried how they’ll measure up against the powerhouse pack of Samoa next week.

“I felt like they just they’re feeling their way at the moment, they’re not dominant through the middle,” Keary said on Channel 7.

“We’re watching Tonga, Samoa and New Zealand like completely dominate oppositions, whereas Australia are kind of finessing their way around.

“They have the ability to turn it up a few gears whenever they can, but they’re gonna need to do it more consistently.”

“They certainly are, and even in the first 20 minutes, they started slow again tonight, which against better opposition, you could find yourself 18 points down early,” Tate added.

“I’m with you, Kez. I think in the middle and physically, they’re not quite there.

“If you’re Tonga or Samoa, I think they’re two forward packs that are licking their lips and thinking, ‘you know what, we’re gonna come through the front door of this Australian team and see if they can handle us’.”

While there’s room for improvement from the forwards, there are other reasons for Australia’s somewhat underwhelming form.

Former Storm fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen believes the Kangaroos’ flashed glimpses against the Cook Islands and against the much stronger opposition, need to maintain the attacking mindset.

“It’s probably the style of play they want to play with. We can see they’re trying to get the ball to Yeo a lot and then run their timing off that, and I think they’re not doing that in a lot of other systems, so it’s gonna take a few weeks to get used to that,” Papenhuyzen said.

“I think once they do nail it and they’ve got guys running in the right holes, getting their timing right, it’s just gonna open up your Walshes, your Munsters and your Deardens to get out the back of that. I think that’s where the threat is.

“Kez mentioned it off the top of the show, but they’re gonna have to play an expensive sort of footy to be anywhere in this tournament, and I saw the signs of it tonight, and I think that’s how they’re gonna get there.”

THE GREATEST OF ALL TIME

James Fisher-Harris, Moses Leota, Joseph Tapine, Naufahu Whyte, Erin Clark, Xavier Willison, Briton Nikora and Isaiah Papali’i.

Or as Jacob Saifiti calls them, the greatest forward pack of all time.

The Kiwis drove home their World Cup credentials with a 78-0 victory over Fiji on Saturday, with New Zealand’s rampaging forward pack setting a perfect platform.

Speaking in the post-match press conference, Fiji’s skipper Saifiti explained nothing he could say to his teammates could help the hammering being handed to his side.

“I just think, it was a bit of a shock to the system for some of the younger boys who haven’t played NRL yet,” he said.

“Let alone against the best forward pack who has ever been formed, you’d say something and it was a big like talking to a deer in the headlights.

“I think when it is all said and done at the end of our careers, we will talk about this pack as the best to ever play.”

Saifiti’s claim may be bold, but it’s hard to argue.

Leota, Fisher-Harris, Willison and Whyte have all won premierships, tallying 10 in total between those four players.

Throw in the mix multiple positional Dally M Awards and even an Origin appearance for Nikora, and the credentials are there to stack up with any pack in history.

Fiji head coach Mick Potter echoed Saifiti’s comments and tipped the Kiwis to push for the World Cup title, which could be another accolodate for an already decorated pack.

“It was a professional team that came up against some young men as well as some NRL players,” Potter said.

“We probably didn’t handle it as well as we could have, but I thought they were red hot, especially in the first half … we weren’t in the contest.

“They will give the competition a shake I think.”

Another key aspect of New Zealand’s win over Fiji was their dominance — in comparison to the Kangaroos’ choppy display a week earlier.

Fiji rattled the Kangaroos, who only led by two points at halftime, and even took a lead just after the break.

While Australia were able to pull away from their opponents, it was far from a convincing display.

Compare that to the Kiwis domination, rolling through the middle of the park before their outside backs struck at will, and it’s a fair yard stick as to where both teams sit.

“We just want to set our game up … we weren’t looking to score on every set, but I think we earnt that,” Fisher-Harris said of his forward pack.

Meanwhile, head coach Stacey Jones highlighted his team’s line speed.

“Right from the start, we carried the ball strong and the line speed from these guys was outstanding and they put pressure back on Fji and forced some errors,” Jones said.

It was Fiji’s line speed that rattled the Kangaroos — and it could be a sign of things to come later in this tournament.

TONGA DARING TO DREAM AS EPIC FORWARD BATTLE ANTICIPATED

Kristian Woolf knows Tonga will enter next week’s semi-final showdown against New Zealand as underdogs, but he has fired a warning to the Kiwis and the rest of the World Cup.

Tonga scored a late try to get past Samoa in a thrilling match on Sunday night in front of a raucous sold out crowd at CommBank Stadium.

It was enthralling and high quality. It showed that both teams wouldn’t look out of place in the grand final.

Next up though for Tonga is a clash against New Zealand, who Woolf believes have been the benchmark of the tournament so far.

“It’s going to be a tough game. They’ve probably been the most dominant team in the tournament so far so it’s a good rivalry for us and a game we’re looking forward to,” Woolf said.

“This group can do anything. We left four tries out there and we’ve got plenty of improvement left in us.

“If we keep improving and heading on the right track, we can do anything.”

There’s no doubt Tonga will have their admirers.

Not only do they have a talented backline and an outstanding halfback pulling the strings, Tonga’s engine room has to be feared.

Former NRL star Aaron Woods can’t wait for the pack battle between Tonga and NZ.

Woods even thinks Tonga has a chance of winning it all.

“The Kiwis will have to get their shoulders ready because the contest between the two forward packs is going to be unbelievable,” Woods said on Channel 7.

“Yes they have Haumole Olakau’atu and Addin Fonua-Blake but what I love about Tonga is their bench. Demetric Vaimauga, Stefano Utoikamanu and Taniela Paseka. Those guys came on and destroyed Samoa tonight in the middle period of that game.

“You’ve also got danger on the edges and the Kiwis won’t have Ronaldo Mulitalo who is a massive aerial threat for New Zealand.

“I give Tonga a massive chance here.

I’d love to see it but it’s how they can recover after this big night. This night is massive with the game and all the pre-game. They’re going have to balance out this week and they won’t be doing much training.”

“I’m looking forward to the forward pack clash as well,” Samoa and New Zealand legend Roger Tuivasa-Sheck added.

“New Zealand have stars in Leota and Fisher-Harris and then you have the likes of Naufahu Whyte coming off the bench and them going set for set to set.

“Tonga can go with New Zealand though. It’ll be a great battle.”

WHY THE CHIEFS HAVE ALL EYES ON A PNG STAR

Jason Demetriou has declared Gairo Voro must spend the 2027 season in the Super League.

Not only will that decision benefit Demetriou, who will be at the helm for the London Broncos, who are set to be promoted to the Super League after a Championship premiership.

But his comments will be music to the PNG Chiefs ears, who have already signed Voro up for their debut NRL campaign in 2028, signing him the talented playmaker on a development deal.

The 23-year-old scored in PNG’s loss to England on Friday with a strong display, adding to a stellar individual campaign after winning Championship Player of the Year.

Despite the Broncos’ looming promotion, Voro has been linked with a shock return to Queensland Cup to feature for the PNG Hunters.

The Hunters are set to be the Chiefs’ feeder club in 2028, but Demetriou was certain he will develop more with a campaign in England when asked where Voro’s future lies.

“In London, I hope, that’s the plan, that’s where we want him,” Demetriou explained.

“Obviously, there’s been some delays around that purely because the RFL and the English clubs are doing a great job at making this the most drawn-out process I’ve ever seen.

“But hopefully we’re getting there. There’s been a lot of talk about Gairo coming back to play for the Hunters, but from my personal opinion, I think that would be a step back for him.

“I think his best footy and his best development as a player and as a person will be to go back to London.

“I’ve had that conversation with him, but I’ll support whatever he wants to do. He’s a great kid.”

Demetriou, however, did suggest Voro’s talents could be wasted with another Championship campaign.

But a promotion to the Super League could provide the perfect stomping ground for both on-field and off-field development.

“I think if we weren’t playing Super League he’d go back and play in the feeder system for the Chiefs,” he said.

“But I think playing in Super League would be another step up for him consistently, week in, week out.

“Also getting to work on his English and his comms and being out of his comfort zone. I think if he goes back into the PNG style of comms and stalls that, it’s not gonna help him when the Chiefs come in.

“So that that’s my thoughts. He knows where I’m at with it, but as I’ve said, I’ve got a lot of time for him. I’ll support whatever he wants to do.”

‘CATEGORICALLY SH***’: ENGLAND ERUPTS OVER FORMAT

England star Herbie Farnworth and prominent reporter Aaron Bowe have launched a scathing attack on the format of this year’s World Cup tournament after the nation was eliminated before the finals.

Despite just suffering one defeat during the group stage, a change to the format means England has been eliminated, with Samoa and Tonga advancing to the semi-finals, where they will face Australia and New Zealand.

It marks a significant change from the previous World Cup, held in England, when the top two nations from each group progressed to the quarter-finals.

But under this year’s format, only four nations progress and Group B includes six nations (rather than Group A’s four teams), meaning they don’t all face each other.

Farnworth didn’t hide his disappointment, questioning the tournament’s structure after their elimination.

“We’ve only lost one game, but it looks like we’re probably going to get knocked out,” Farnworth told ABC Radio after their win on Friday night against Papua New Guinea.

“Not really a big fan of the format, but it is what it is.”

The Dolphins centre’s frustration was shared by The Guardian’s Aaron Bower who delivered an even more brutal assessment of the tournament structure on social media.

“I’ve been one of the biggest critics of the format. It is categorically shite. There’s no clearer way to put it,” Bower wrote on X.

“But at some point, English rugby league will have to ask itself some brave questions. We’ve treated our national team like an afterthought and this is what we deserve.”

He wasn’t the only prominent England reporter to call out the format on social media.

Gary Carter, who works for The Sun said, “Yes, the tournament format is ridiculous. Yes, some of England’s errors were ridiculous.

“Said it before, say it again. English rugby league is being left behind. It will (be) dead soon unless they accept the NRL,” Curtis Woodward, a freelance writer who was previously with foxsports.com.au posted.

“The only reason it hasn’t happened is because of very fat cats clutching their pearls in northern England.

“It is time for an NRL Super League in Europe!”

CALLS FOR MAJOR ELIGIBILITY OVERHAUL

After finishing last in their group, which also included Australia, Fiji and New Zealand, Cook Islands head coach Karmichael Hunt has called for the international rugby league eligibility rules to be expanded.

Speaking to the media after they fell to Australia by 60 points, which kept the nation winless in this year’s World Cup, Hunt called for the eligibility rules to be expanded to include great-grandparents.

Per the current rules set by the International Rugby League Federation, players can’t claim birthrights above their grandparents.

“Currently, as the rule stands your grandparent or your parent has to be born in the Cook Islands, or any nation for that matter,” Hunt said.

“Now we all live in Australia or New Zealand. There are a lot of great-grandparents that have Cook Islands kids playing in good systems in Queensland and NSW and we’d love to get access to those and hopefully we can get a decision in our favour.

“If you want to identify and represent your Cook Islands heritage and you have got that in your blood, you should have the right to do that.”

A change to the rules would have allowed Canberra Raiders fullback Kaeo Weekes to represent the Kukis at the World Cup, where he would have slotted straight into the starting side.

Meanwhile, Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad (Kiwis), Isaiya Katoa (Tonga), Francis Molo (Samoa), Joseph Tapine (Kiwis) and Xavier Willison (Kiwis) were all eligible to represent the Kukis but decided to represent another nation.

“From all reports (Canberra fullback) Kaeo Weekes has grandparents that are Kukis or he has Cook Islands heritage,” Hunt continued.

“He is sitting on the couch watching the tournament right now. We want our best players playing in this competition.

“He should be playing. If the rules are freezing players like him out then I don’t think that is a good thing for the game.“

He added that a change in the ruling’s interpretation would benefit not only the Cook Islands but also smaller rugby league countries such as Lebanon and France.

“The flip side is you can live in a nation for five years and you can go and play for the nation,” Cook Islands Rugby League president Charles Carlson told overseas outlet RNZ before the beginning of the tournament.

“Why are we being limited in our heritage and yet some being allowed to play for a nation when they have no heritage tied to that nation.

“Who defines what a Cook Islander is or who a Samoan is, Being a small island, it limits our players’ ability.

“You know for us it should include your grandparents or your great-grandparents. As long you can trace your relations back to your great grandparents, you’re a Cook islander.

“We didn’t quite agree with the rules given by the international federations.“