Hard-hitting Josh Papalii has been promoted from the bench in the only change to Australia’s starting team for the must-win Four Nations rugby league Test against Samoa.
Papalii moves from the bench to replace the injured Beau Scott and he will start at prop with Sam Thaiday switching to the second row for Sunday’s clash at Wollongong’s WIN Stadium.
With a 1-1 record following the heart-stopping 16-12 win over England last Sunday, Kangaroos coach Tim Sheens had no room to rest or experiment with players in the final round-robin match.
All four teams remain in contention for the final and Samoa loom as tough opposition after pushing both England and New Zealand to the limit before succumbing.
Sheens again named an extended bench of seven players, keeping his options open.
Australia: Greg Inglis, Josh Mansour, Michael Jennings, Dylan Walker, Sione Mata’utia, Daly Cherry-Evans, Cooper Cronk, Aaron Woods, Cameron Smith (capt), Josh Papalii, Sam Thaiday, Greg Bird, Corey Parker.
Interchange: Boyd Cordner, Robbie Farah, Aidan Guerra, Ryan Hoffman, Ben Hunt, David Klemmer, Matt Moylan.
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