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.
Maroon Blood
Guest
Was Will Chambers injured? Didn't he have an outstanding debut in Origin and can play wing and centre? Johnston selection over him is one I can't fathom at all.
William Dalton Davis
Roar Rookie
He wasn't left to "mark several players" at all. He was told to rush in on inglis but he was late on several occasions and it bit him on the bum.
Ret
Guest
I get sick of people blaming Merritt for being left to mark several players in his origin game. Nobody remembers the crap defence from the players inside. No surprise that Maloney didn't feature this year. Johnson's time will come. He hasn't even played a full season yet, and is certainly one of the fastest players in the NRL.
Adrien
Guest
Well it's a bit unfair to prevent him from playing rep footy because he's got some similarities with Meritt who was a failure in his sole origin appearance.
Mike L
Roar Rookie
"He spent a lot of the second half on the right edge" Agree - But as a forward he should be looking for work (praticularly hitups) when the team needs some go forward, but he never moved. Even when he did make the occasional hit up, after playing the ball he just stood there and watched the next play like a spectator... he didnt even attempt to line up for another charge. As a kiwi fan I am happy he chose QLD/AUST over the kiwis - much happier with taumalolo
Jay C
Roar Guru
That's a pretty unfair comparison. I don't think Johnson is anything like Merritt? Am I alone here? He seems to read defense pretty well....
CNS
Guest
No he just isn't one of their best wingers. He is a young Nathan Merrit. Great scorer when he has good backs inside him playing NRL. Should play origin before Australia. We all watched as Nathan Merrit, a player that is just like Johnson, get embarrassed at rep level.
ROTUMA ISLAND
Guest
is Alex Johnston injured?
Alex L
Roar Rookie
He was abysmal against NZ, but he ran 100m and made 30 tackles without any major errors against England. He spent a lot of the second half on the right edge and the Kangaroos attack was very left edge focussed where Inglis was injecting himself into the game.
Dene Griffin
Roar Rookie
Totally agree. He looks slow, and cumbersome. His work rate was low and he was ineffective. I thought the other forwards really stood up. Papalii needs to lift otherwise he'll put too much pressure on the other blokes who are doing their job. He's very lucky to be in the side at all, let alone being promoted to the starting side.
Mike L
Roar Rookie
I thought papalii was a passenger in the game against England, particularly in the second half. Australia's depth is being tested here