Ben Hunt will start at hooker for Mal Meninga’s Kangaroos in their World Cup opener against Fiji, as the team begin their campaign to defend the trophy that they won five years ago.
The Dragons halfback has played No.9 with good effect at State of Origin level, and has pipped Melbourne’s hooker Harry Grant to starting spot.
James Tedesco will start at fullback in a superstar backline, with Josh Addo-Carr and Murray Tualagi on the wings, Latrell Mitchell and Val Holmes in the centres.
READ MORE: Rugby job blows hole in Manly’s Seibold plans
READ MORE: Win or bust: the massive stakes in Seibold play
READ MORE: Kimmorley gets new opportunity in NRLW
Cameron Munster partners Daly Cherry-Evans in the halves with Nathan Cleary left out, while Jake Trbojevic and Tino Fa’asuamaleaui will start either side of Hunt in the front row.
Angus Crichton and Jeremiah Nanai are on the edges with Cam Murray preferred to Isaah Yeo at lock – Jack Wighton, Patrick Carrigan and Rueben Cotter join Grant on the bench.
Meninga said every player will have a chance to prove themselves in the group stage before he settles on his best 17 in the knockouts.
Who is playing in the Rugby League World Cup?
There are sixteen teams, divided into four groups.
Group A: England, Samoa, Greece, and France
Group B: Australia, Fiji, Italy, and Scotland
Group C: New Zealand, Ireland, Lebanon, and Jamaica
Group D: Tonga, Cook Islands, PNG, and Wales
You can view the full list of squads here: Rugby League World Cup men’s squads
When does the Rugby League World Cup start?
The tournament begins on Sunday, October 16th (AEDT).
What time are the games on?
Of course, the times aren’t particularly palatable for Australian audiences. The opening fixture tonight between England and Samoa begins at 12.30am (AEDT), with Australia playing Fiji afterwards at 5.30am.
The rest of the games are broadcast across three timeslots: 12.30am, 3am, and 5.30am.
The Kangaroos’ other two group stage will also be at 5.30am, on October 22 against Scotland and October 30 against Italy.
Daylight savings in the UK actually ends during the tournament so for the knockout stages the games will be at 1.30 and 6.30am instead.
The final will be on November 20 at 3am.
How can I watch the Rugby League World Cup?
The games will be on Fox Sports and Kayo.
Who is going to win?
Australia are firm favourites to lift the trophy at $1.53 on Sportsbet, ahead of New Zealand at $4.20, Samoa at $9.50, hosts England at $13 and Tonga at $15.
Every other team is in triple digits.
Who won the last Rugby League World Cup?
The Kangaroos won the last tournament in 2017, as well as the one before that in 2013. New Zealand won their only World Cup back in 2008, while France won the inaugural tournament in 1954, as well as the 1960 and 1972 iterations.
They are the only three nations to win the World Cup.
For a daily dose of the best of the breaking news and exclusive content from Wide World of Sports, subscribe to our newsletter by clicking here!
Why Mal Meninga’s Kangaroos will wear unfamiliar jersey numbers at the 2022 Rugby League World Cup
For all the latest Sports News Click Here
For the latest news and updates, follow us on Google News.
