Top Naija News: Nigerian News, Breaking News Nigeria and World News Top Naija News is a daily news publication in Nigeria, delivering the latest breaking news in Nigeria and around the world.
Daly Cherry-Evans will get the first crack as Australian halfback at the Rugby League World Cupafter the Manly skipper was handed the honour instead of Nathan Cleary.
While James Tedesco has taken over the Kangaroos captaincy from Cherry-Evans, the Queensland State of Origin veteran will play at halfback in Australia’s opening World Cup clash with Fiji on Sunday morning (AEDT).
No Panthers players selected in the 24-man Kangaroos squad will feature in the first game, with Australian coach Mal Meninga opting to give NRL grand final heroes Cleary, Isaah Yeo and Liam Martin extra time off.
READ MORE: Manly boss’ brutal blow for Hasler in nasty war
READ MORE: F1 rocked by ‘crazy’ Red Bull rules breach
READ MORE: Former champ hits out at Bathurst ‘madness’
Meninga afforded the same luxury to Raegan Campbell-Gillard, who represented Parramatta in the grand final.
Cleary says he’s relishing the scrap for the Australian halfback job.
“(Meninga) said he’s just going to give us equal opportunity and it’s up to us to earn the jersey,” Cleary told 9News.
“That’s the right way to do it, particularly with the pinnacle of the game, the Australian No.7 jersey.
“It’s going to be hard-fought. I think it’s healthy competition. I’m glad it’s there.
“I’m looking forward to being alongside Chez (Cherry-Evans), and being able to learn off him and all these other great players.”
The Kangaroos have shaken up their jersey system for the World Cup, opting against the traditional method of allocating numbers based on positions.
Tedesco received the No.1 because he’s captain, but the rest will wear numbers based on how long they’ve represented Australia for.
The numbers of the 13 debutants were decided by alphabetic order, meaning Yeo will pull on the No.24.
“We signed off on it (changing the number system) about two years ago, so I have no real comeback on it… We had no idea when it was signed off on,” Meninga told SEN.
“We have 13 debutants on tour, so the jersey that they get to play in for the very first Test is their tour number, Isaiah Yeo is number 24 mainly because of where he sits on the alphabet, he is the premier 13 of our competition.
“It takes away from the excitement of your debutants in particular, having their very first Test match jersey and it’s a number that doesn’t resonate with anyone, because it’s not the position he plays in.
“The supporters will be trying to understand who’s in the 24 jersey that’s playing in the middle.”
As for other unusual numbers worn by players the Kangaroos number seven jersey will be worn by five-eighth Cameron Munster for the duration of the tournament.
Cherry-Evans will instead wear the number two jersey, while Cleary will take the number 14.
“I’m just a little bit disappointed for the players from a positional point of view, because the first jersey they put on won’t be the one they play in,” Meninga said.
“A lot of teams might pick a 1-17, but we’re not in a position to do that because we’ve got 24 great players and I’m not too sure who will make up the final 17, when we hopefully go into the Grand Final of a World Cup.”
Australian team for World Cup opener
1. James Tedesco (c)
9. Josh Addo-Carr
8. Latrell Mitchell
4. Valentine Holmes
23. Murray Taulagi*
7. Cameron Munster
2. Daly Cherry-Evans
18. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui*
3. Ben Hunt
5. Jake Trbojevic
17. Angus Crichton*
22. Jeremiah Nanai*
11. Cameron Murray (vc)
Interchange
20. Harry Grant*
16. Reuben Cotter*
13. Pat Carrigan*
10. Jack Wighton
18th man | Matt Burton (12)
19th man | Campbell Graham (19)
*Denotes Kangaroos debutant
For a daily dose of the best of the breaking news and exclusive content from Wide World of Sports, subscribe to our newsletter by clicking here!
