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Meninga could rotate through RLWC finals after France drubbing

A rotating squad could be key to Australia's success. (AAP Image/Lukas Coch)
3rd November, 2017
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Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga admits his rotation policy could continue into the quarter-final stage of the Rugby League World Cup in the Darwin heat.

Australia all but sealed top spot in their pool after routing France 52-6 in Canberra on Friday to open their title defence with back-to-back victories.

On a record-breaking night, second-rower Wade Graham scored four tries to equal the record for most tries by a Kangaroo in a Test match.

Billy Slater scored his 13th try to join Jarryd Hayne and Bob Fulton as top tryscorers in a World Cup, while skipper Cameron Smith surpassed Clive Churchill’s mark of 35 consecutive Tests.

The ten-try rout was also Australia’s ninth straight – and biggest – win under Meninga.

“I think our execution I thought was a lot better than it was last week but in saying that it’s obviously against an opposition that we should beat,” Meninga said after the game.

The Kangaroos are also expected to make light work of Lebanon next week in what may not be the final chance for players to press their claims for a spot in Meninga’s top 17.

With scorching conditions expected for their final-eight knock-out – likely against Samoa – Meninga admitted some players could also be saved for the semi-final stage.

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“We’re very mindful of the fact that everyone’s played a lot of footy this year. Going to Darwin’s going to be a difficult task, a bit of a challenge around the heat and humidity up there,” he said.

“Obviously then we’ve got to look at how the players recover out of that game.

“We’ve got to make sure that everyone’s fit and healthy going into, if we do get through the quarter-final, get into the semis as well.

“All those sort of things, we’ve got to take into consideration, but at this stage I haven’t really made up my mind. You’d think it’d be close to our best side playing in the quarter-finals.”

Graham was easily the most impressive against the French, however he was the only forward that failed to crack the 100-metre mark in metres carried.

Tyson Frizell led the team with 152 metres, edging rookie prop Jordan McLean’s 151 metres.

“That’s what it’s all about. It’s about internal competition, everyone putting their hand up to play at the back end of the tournament if we get that far,” Meninga said.

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“I couldn’t have asked for a better performance by everyone really. Wade, I thought Frizz was exceptionally good tonight as well. The front-rowers were great.”

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