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RCG, Hunt recalled, Murray under injury cloud as Kangaroos name team for Kiwis semi-final showdown

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Expert
9th November, 2022
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Reagan Campbell-Gillard is set to return but Kangaroos teammate Cameron Murray needs to prove he’s overcome a hip complaint to suit up in this weekend’s World Cup semi-final against the Kiwis.

Campbell-Gillard and hooker Ben Hunt have been recalled after sitting out last week’s quarter-final triumph over Lebanon and will likely pack down in the starting front row alongside Jake Trbojevic.

RCG was unavailable last weekend due to the cork he picked up the previous week against Italy while Hunt was rested after an 80-minute effort to ensure he’d be fresh for the semis. 

Murray has a hip flexor injury which flared up during the comfortable win over the Cedars and needs to prove his fitness to coach Mal Meninga at the captain’s run on Thursday.

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He was used off the interchange last week as a back-up middle forward and team officials are confident he will be right to face the Kiwis but if he’s ruled out, rookie Test tourist Reuben Cotter could be elevated to the game-day 17. 

(Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images for RLWC)

Kangaroos captain James Tedesco, who did not play the second half against the Cedars last weekend after copping a cork, has been cleared to face New Zealand.

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Daly Cherry-Evans, who was Australia’s bench utility last weekend, is set to miss out on a spot despite strong form over the course of the tournament due to Hunt’s return.

Grant will likely revert to the bench with Patrick Carrigan, Tino Fa’asuamaleaui and Cotter vying for the other two spots alongside Murray on the interchange. 

Meninga has again named a 19-man squad in alphabetical order only and will not confirm his final line-up until an hour before kick-off.

“Once again it has been extremely difficult to leave out players who have performed very well in our colours,” Meninga said.

“This is our most important game of the World Cup for us and a great challenge against the calibre of the NZ side.

(Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)

“I am happy with our performances so far but we need to improve.”

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The Kangaroos come into the match as overwhelming favourites after cantering through the group stage with massive wins over Fiji (42-8), Scotland (84-0) and Italy (66-6) before accounting for the Lebanese 48-4 in the quarter-finals.

“Mal has indicated to me and Harry that he wants to keep us fresh to bring the energy,” Hunt told reporters in Manchester. “I feel like we’ve both done enough to be in the side. It was really good to get a week off because I’m getting a bit older.

“It’s going to be pretty physical, I’m thinking of it as a State of Origin game.

“We have to dominate their forward pack because they are really big and that’s where it will be won.”

New Zealand were pushed all the way by Fiji last weekend in their 24-18 victory and despite boasting a strong side full of top-level NRL talent, they will be heavy outsiders for the clash with the Kangaroos at Leeds United’s famous Elland Road home ground.

Roosters star Joey Manu is the favourite to be named player of the tournament for his red-hot form at fullback for the unbeaten Kiwis. 

In the other semi-final between Samoa and England on Saturday night, prop Junior Paulo has been cleared to play for the Pacific underdogs.

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The Parramatta forward had been banned for striking Tongan rival David Fifita in their quarter-final victory over Samoa but he successfully appealed the decision to be free for the clash at London’s Emirates Stadium.

Kangaroos team to face New Zealand

Elland Road, Leeds on Friday night (Saturday 6.45am AEDT)

1 James Tedesco (c)
9 Josh Addo-Carr
6 Reagan Campbell-Gillard
13 Patrick Carrigan
2 Daly Cherry-Evans
14 Nathan Cleary
16 Reuben Cotter
17 Angus Crichton
18 Tino Fa’asuamaleaui
20 Harry Grant
4 Valentine Holmes
3 Ben Hunt
21 Liam Martin
8 Latrell Mitchell
7 Cameron Munster
11 Cameron Murray
5 Jake Trbojevic
10 Jack Wighton
24 Isaah Yeo

Unused squad members: 12 Matt Burton 15 Lindsay Collins 19 Campbell Graham 22 Jeremiah Nanai 23 Murray Taulagi 

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