Boyd Cordner is set for his first Four Nations start after back-rower Beau Scott was ruled out of their crucial clash with Samoa with a hamstring injury.
Scott was an early casualty in their controversial 16-12 win over England at AAMI Park, with Sydney Roosters star Cordner his replacement in the bruising affair.
That looks like it will last at least another match with scans on Scott’s hamstring in Melbourne today revealing a low-grade tear.
Scott isn’t available for their match at Wollongong’s WIN Stadium on Sunday but will remain with the team and in contention for the November 15 final in Wellington, should the Aussies make it.
Scott has started in both of Australia’s matches, while Cordner wasn’t in the squad for their opening loss to New Zealand.
The Kangaroos came from behind to snatch the win over England, who were left feeling robbed after a controversial no-try decision in the final minute.
The Australian win set up an enthralling final round of the tournament with England facing unbeaten New Zealand on Saturday in Dunedin before the Australia-Samoa game a day later.
England have set their sights on beating the Kiwis by 10 points, which would see them leap-frog them into top spot on the ladder and guarantee a berth in the November 15 final in Wellington.
Heading into the last round New Zealand’s points differential is +20 and Australia’s is -14, which depending on the Saturday result could set the Kangaroos a mammoth challenge against Samoa.
Australia haven’t missed the the final of a major rugby league tournament since the inaugural World Cup in 1954.
England prop James Graham said his side were already looking ahead to beating New Zealand, which would ease the pain of their loss to Australia.
“We’ve got to try and put this week behind us as quickly as possible,” Graham said.
“New Zealand in New Zealand is a really tough ask but we need to move on from the disappointment against Australia and focus on getting the win against the Kiwis.”
The Australians say they’re not thinking about points differentials and only focusing on beating Samoa, who have had two agonisingly close defeats.
The Samoans felt hard done by in their two-point loss to New Zealand on Saturday while they also led for much of their earlier England clash but were over-run 32-26.
“We understand that it will be a really hard for game for us and it’s a must-win,” said Kangaroos assistant coach Craig Fitzgibbon on Monday.
“Samoa are a team that have nothing to lose so it makes them unpredictable.
“We’re preparing for a really, hard physical game as everyone can see how big and strong those boys are but we know we’re up for a hard game.”
dallas
Guest
Sorry i didnt finish that last comment.. That was a typical line tan by cordner and alot of other back rowers including hoffman and scott, where he runs an obvious outside in angle and changes at the last minute to try get to the outside shoulder of the 3rd man in usually, cordner and hoffman have scored alot of tries off this play so you cannot blame him entirely, There are so many factors that can come into it, maybe the half made the wrong decision and should have just played short to cordner? Them plays will break down to from time especially in rep footy with a group of new players, to blame the lead runner for running the same line that he does all year is pretty stupid. All im saying is cordner is a good back rower who runs very good lines and deserves to be there. i will be surprised if he doesmt finish he career with over 20 origin and test matches under his belt.
William Dalton Davis
Roar Rookie
Yes it was cordners fault. He holds his line it's fine but he changes direction and runs straight at an opposition player. Who else could be at fault?
dallas
Guest
You are dumb to think a player who has won a premiership, played for his state and country and won dally m 2nd rower of the year at 22 is no good...
dallas
Guest
No not in that instance. But nor was it cordners fault, the game is so advanced now and them plays are
Alex L
Roar Rookie
Dumb post by a dumb user.
William Dalton Davis
Roar Rookie
"If he is obstructing the defence, that comes down to the positioning and line ran by the bloke at the back" I'm sorry so because of the line inglis ran against England out the back Cordner had to change direction and obstruct the defence?
dallas
Guest
There is no such thing as a decoy any more im sorry alex.. that term died in the early early 2000s. If he is obstructing the defence, that comes down to the positioning and line ran by the bloke out the back, that has nothing to do with the edge runner. I definately rate guerra a better player than cordner but he played more games in the middle this year and his work rate and toughness makes him better suited to the middle. David klemmer is not that good. Once myles, scott, tamou and fifita are back he will be long gone. And if mcguire can get a start in origin next year he will easily outshine. Klemmer is half the player mcguire is based average meters, tackles and minutes played.
Alex L
Roar Rookie
All moot now as Thaiday is starting on the edge with Papalii coming into the starting prop role, however. Cordner is a good line runner so long as he gets the ball but it's offset by a tendency to run terrible decoys that do noting but either obstruct the defence or his own team -- there's a reason the chooks started putting Guerra on the left flank instead of Cordner. The Kangaroos looked uncoordinated with him on the left edge on Sunday, it was no coincidence they improved when Bird came back on (though I understand this remark may irk you as a qlder). Just on the topic of best young forwards.. David Klemmer will turn 21 in December, and I'd say he's going to be a regular fixture for the Kangaroos sooner rather than later.
ferret
Guest
Cordner has been rather average since about half way through this season. Guerra is in much better form.
dallas
Guest
Cordner is one of the best edge runners in the comp. He hasnt proved himself at origin or test level yet but as far as nrl goes he is killin it, especially considering he is only 22, ever since he came into the nrl as an 18 yr old he has looked like a seasoned first grader. He is one of the best line runners in the comp, scores alot of tries and does plenty of work in the red zone. Along with george burgess, he is probably the best young forwards in the game. By the time he 27-28 i would think that he will be head and shoulders above the rest. im a qlder and broncos supporter aswell so this is not bias at all.
Llewellyn Fits-Rhombus
Guest
Farah?
Alex L
Roar Rookie
Boyd "worst second row forward in the squad" Cordner.. how does this bloke keep getting picked?
William Dalton Davis
Roar Rookie
Good halves or a FB they'd have beaten NZ at the very least. Poor old Milford would've been a game changer.
Shungmao
Guest
Think the Samoans need a bit more credit fitzy than " unpredictable " they have been playing good , hard rugby league, with some flare
Jay C
Roar Guru
So who is coming in to replace him? Guerra?