Young Kangaroos to defend title
JAMES Tedesco will lead the most inexperienced Kangaroos squad in World Cup history after coach Mal Meninga named 13 uncapped players, including vice-captain Isaah Yeo.
With the Kangaroos having played just four Tests since the 2017 World Cup final and their last outing being a shock loss to Tonga three years ago, due to COVID, the squad announced on Monday represents a changing of the guard.
The combined Test appearances of the 24-man squad for Australia totals just 64, with just 11 players having previously worn the green-and-gold jersey.
In comparison, Papua New Guinea’s squad boasts a combined 70 Test appearances.
Storm five-eighth Cameron Munster, Sea Eagles forward Jake Trbojevic, Cowboys centre Valentine
Holmes, Dragons halfback Ben Hunt, Eels prop Reagan Campbell-Gillard are the only players returning to defend the trophy they helped win in 2017.
Yeo, who has led the Panthers to back-to-back premierships, and Rabbitohs captain Cameron Murray will be Tedesco’s deputies in an indication of how fierce the battle between Daly Cherry-Evans and Nathan Cleary will be for the No.7 jersey.
Cherry-Evans had been Australia’s vice-captain in 2018 and 2019, with former Sydney Roosters second-rower Boyd Corner taking over the captaincy from Cameron Smith after the last World Cup. Tedesco has since succeeded Cordner as Sydney Roosters and NSW captain, and Meninga said he was an obvious choice to lead the Kangaroos to England.
“It was pretty straight forward,” Meninga said. “He is the premier player, he got the player’s player last night as well. I thought he was an outstanding candidate. He also captains his club and captains his state.”
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