RLWC teams: Door open for Ponga stunner; Roos’ big Latrell call

Kevin Walters has named his Kangaroos team to face Samoa in front of a home crowd at Allianz Stadium in the Rugby League World Cup semi-finals, faithfully backing his line-up that demolished the Cook Islands to do the job again on Sunday.

The Australian coach has stuck with the starting 13 that took a commanding 66-6 victory over the Cook Islands, picking the exact same line-up for Sunday night’s high-stakes clash.

The only change to the squad sees Latrell Mitchell return to the interchange bench in the No.18 jersey after sitting out of the final pool match.

The decision means names like premiership Roosters James Tedesco and Sam Walker have again missed out on selection, highlighting the depth of this ultra-competitive Australian side.

“Samoa were very impressive in a physical battle which had a lot of emotion last weekend against Tonga and we know we are in for a tough contest on Sunday night,” said Walters.

“It’s going to be a great occasion in front of a full house at Allianz Stadium, and we’ve got to meet the occasion with our best performance of the tournament.”

Meanwhile, in other news ahead of Saturday’s semi-final featuring New Zealand, an injured Kalyn Ponga has been named on the extended bench. The fullback was spotted training with the squad on Tuesday, creating rumours that the star could make a blockbuster return to the competition.

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Saturday November 7 - McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle

5:45pm | New Zealand vs Samoa women

New Zealand: 1. Apii Nicholls 2 Leianne Tufuga 3 Mele Hufanga 4 Stacey Waaka 5 Mackenzie Wiki 6 Chantay Kiria-Ratu 7 Raecene McGregor 8 Alexis Tauaneai 9 Georgia Hale 10 Otesa Pule 11 Shaniece Monschau 12 Kaiyah Atai 13 Angelina Teakaraanga-Katoa 14 Ashleigh Quinlan 15 Annessa Biddle 16 Shannon Mato 17 Ivana Lauitiiti 18 Brooke Anderson 19 Brianna Clark 20 Zahara Temara 21 Abigail Roache 22 Tenika Willison

Samoa: 1 Destiny Mino-Sinapati 2 Mercedez Taulelei-Siala 3 Monica Tagoai 4 Tyra Ekepati 5 Freedom Crichton Ropati 6 Evania Isa’ako 7 Pauline Piliae-Rasabale 8 Annetta Nuuausala 9 Mary-Jane Taito 10 Laikha Clarke 11 Leilani Wilson 12 Ivana Lolesio 13 Fanua Rimoni 14 Tavarna Papalii 15 Christabelle Onesemo-Tuilaepa 16 Jasmine Fogavini 17 Christian Pio 18 Jaydika Tafua 19 Anastasia Leatupue 20 Evelyn Roberts 21 Jetaya Faifua 22 Amanii Misa

8:05pm | New Zealand vs Tonga men

New Zealand: 1 Keano Kini, 2 Jamayne Isaako, 3 Dane Gagai, 4. Casey McLean 5. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 6. Kodi Nikorima 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. James Fisher-Harris (C) 9. Jeremy Marshall-King 10. Moses Leota 11. Isaiah Papali’i 12. Briton Nikora 13. Joseph Tapine 14. Te Maire Martin 15. Naufahu Whyte 16. Erin Clark 17. Xavier Willison 18. Scott Sorensen 19. Leo Thompson 20. Tanner Stowers-Smith 21. Kalyn Ponga 22. Phoenix Crossland

Tonga: 1. Lehi Hopoate 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 3. Tolutau Koula 4. Robert Toia 5. Jojo Fifita 6. Tuimoala Lolohea 7. Isaiya Katoa 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Salesi Foketi 10. Jason Taumalolo (C) 11. Haumole Olakau’atu 12. Siua Wong 13. Tyson Frizell 14. Soni Luke 15. Stefano Utoikamanu 16. Demitric Vaimauga 17. Taniela Paseka 18. Leka Halasima 19. Latu Fainu 20. Paul Alamoti 21. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki 22. Sione Katoa

Sunday November 8 - Allianz Stadium, Sydney

5:45pm | Australian Jillaroos vs Fiji women

Australia: 1. Tamika Upton 2. Jaime Chapman 3. Jessica Sergis 4. Isabelle Kelly 5. Abbi Church 6. Jocelyn Kelleher 7. Tarryn Aiken 8. Millie Elliott 9. Olivia Higgins 10. Simaima Taufa 11. Tiana Penitani Gray 12. Shaylee Bent 13. Olivia Kernick 14. Keeley Nizza 15. Keilee Joseph 16. Kezie Apps 17. Sariah Paki 18. Sheridan Gallagher 19. Ellie Johnston 20. Jesse Southwell 21. Quincy Dodd 22. Makenzie Weale

Fiji: 1 Cassie Staples 2 Maria Paseka 3 Isabella Waterman 4 Sienna Laing 5 Taina Naividi 6 Luisa Yaranamua 7 Losana Lutu 8 Latisha Smythe 9 Sereana Naitokatoka 10 Lorren Ieli 11 Elizabeth Naleba 12 Talei Holmes 13 Leilani Ahsam 14 Tahlia Marshall 15 Teaghan Hartigan 16 Ema Masi 17 Aliti Namoce 18 Nanise Vakacavu 19 Naomi Tegu 20 Abigayle Sekitoga 21 Rory Muller 22 Ebony Laing

8:05pm | Australian Kangaroos vs Samoa men

Australia: 1. Reece Walsh 2. Jack Bostock 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Bradman Best 5. Tom Trbojevic 6. Cameron Munster 7. Tom Dearden 8. Patrick Carrigan 9. Harry Grant 10. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui 11. Jacob Preston 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo (C) 14. Ethan Strange 15. Keaon Koloamatangi 16. Cameron Murray 17. Reuben Cotter 18. Latrell Mitchell 19. James Tedesco 20. Lindsay Smith 21. Sam Walker 22. Blayke Brailey

Samoa: 1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 2. Brian To’o 3. Izack Tago 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Sualauvi Faalogo 6. Ronald Volkman 7. Jarome Luai (c) 8. Francis Molo 9. Benaiah Ioelu 10. Junior Paulo (C) 11. Connelly Lemuelu 12. Jermaine McEwen 13. Francis Manuleleua 14. Jazz Tevaga 15. Spencer Leniu 16. Shawn Blore 17. Ata Mariota 18. Clayton Faulalo 19. Deine Mariner 20. Pasami Saulo 21. Enari Tuala 22. Eddie Ieremia-Toeava