Walters confirms Kangaroos shake-up as star’s World Cup could be over
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Kangaroos coach Kevin Walters has already locked in several team changes for Australia’s second World Cup game despite a thrilling victory over New Zealand.
Halfback Mitchell Moses suffered a leg injury and lasted only a minute or two into the second half before limping off the field.
Mitchell Moses suffered an apparent calf injury. Getty Images
He was replaced by Tom Dearden, who Walters later confirmed will wear the No.6 jumper against Fiji next Sunday.
It means Cameron Munster will drop out of the side, as will the injured Moses with Sam Walker already confirmed to make his Kangaroos debut in the No.7.
“(Walker will) play next week. We’ll put him alongside Tom who will play five-eighth,” Walters said after their 24-22 victory in Sydney.
“(Dearden) was good when he came on and once he settled into the rhythm of the game. It’s hard when you come off the bench like that in the halfback position and have to just get straight into it.
“I thought once he was settled, he showed his class.
“It’s exciting for (Walker and Dearden). They’ll both get their chance to wear the green and gold together. I don’t think they’ve played together as a halves combo so that’ll be good.”
Walker and Dearden are considered Queensland’s next long-term halves pairing, but will struggle to both make the Kangaroos team going forward once Nathan Cleary is back on his feet.
Walkers has also locked in a change at fullback for game two, with Roosters champion James Tedesco to replace Reece Walsh in the No.1 jumper next Sunday.
Walters says he wanted to give the NRL grand final players a rest for game one, meaning Knights centre Bradman Best will also come into calculations.
“James will be fullback next week. I thought this week for those guys that played in the grand final, it’s been a big few weeks,” the coach said.
“I thought what was best for Australia was that they would have a spell then they could enjoy getting the Australian jersey back on.”
Reece Walsh was electric, but won’t play next week. Getty Images
Best and David Fifitia were the unused bench players in Thursday night’s game, but Walters said earlier this week he plans to give every squad member time on the park during the World Cup.
As for Moses, Walters admitted his leg injury “wasn’t too good” but he will have scans to determine the severity.
If Moses is ruled out of the remainder of the tournament, Walters plans to elevate Raiders five-eighth Ethan Strange from a shadow player to the squad proper, meaning he would play later in the World Cup.
Possible Kangaroos team vs Fiji
1. James Tedesco 2. Jack Bostock 3. Latrell Mitchell 4. Bradman Best 5. Tom Trbojevic 6. Tom Dearden 7. Sam Walker 8. Patrick Carrigan 9. Harry Grant 10. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui 11. Jacob Preston 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo 14. Ethan Strange 15. David Fifita 16. Cameron Murray 17. Keaon Koloamatangi
