Notable omission as Kevvie names World Cup debutant; dark horse’s big boost: Team Lists

Team lists are in for the third week of the Rugby League World Cup, with Sam Walker a notable omission from Australia’s side that has been named to play the Cook Islands.

A special edition of NRL 360 will break down all the latest November 1 madness, including Sam Walker and Hudson Young. Catch the episode at 1pm AEDT on Fox League 502 and stream the episode on Kayo Sports.

Walker has been the headlines since Monday night, when it was confirmed that the Roosters had withdrawn their offer to the star halfback.

Instead, Kevin Walters has opted for his third halves combination of the tournament while Ethan Strange features on the bench and could make his Kangaroos debut.

Walters, however, denied in an interview with The Sydney Morning Herald that Walker’s omission was related to the ongoing contract saga and instead said he wanted to see how Dearden fared at halfback after playing five-eighth last week.

“That [contract situation] had nothing to do with it,” Walters told the Herald.

“Sammy is a man, he can handle that situation – there are a lot of players here who haven’t settled their careers beyond next season, so he’s not the only one.

“Their managers are the ones who are looking into it. The players get updates, so they’re not really talking directly with clubs or coaches, and even if they are, it’s all part and parcel of being a rugby league player.

“I don’t see it being difficult or that much of a sideshow.”

Elsewhere, there has been a big boost for Tonga ahead of their blockbuster clash against Samoa.

England v PNG Kumuls @ WIN Stadium, 8:05pm AEDT

England team: 1. AJ Brimson 2. Dominic Young 3. Hugo Savala 4. Herbie Farnworth 5. Matty Ashton 6. George Williams (c) 7. Harry Smith 8. Max King 9. Jez Litten 10. Luke Thompson 11. Junior Nsemba 12. Kai Pearce-Paul 13. Morgan Knowles 14. Mikey Lewis 15. Sam Walters 16. Ethan Havard 17. Victor Radley 18. Ben Currie 19. Jack Welsby 20. Brad O’Neill 21. Zach Eckersley 22. Kallum Watkins

Analysis: Coach Brian McDermott has named Hull KR’s Jez Litten in the No. 9 jersey to replace Brad O’Neill who drops back to the bench while Morgan Knowles is back in the side and will start in the lock-forward role after missing the opening two games with a calf injury. It means Roosters premiership winner Victor Radley has been relegated to the bench which will raise eyebrows. Radley is one of the best locks in the NRL and the English must win this game by a big margin to give themselves a chance of making the semi finals.

PNG team: 1. Zac Laybutt 2. Robert Derby 3. Josh Feledy 4. Nene Macdonald 5. Dudley Dotoi 6. Gairo Voro 7. Bailey Biondi-Odo 8. Epel Kapinias 9. Edwin Ipape 10. Luca Moretti 11. Rhyse Martin (c) 12. Nixon Putt 13. Liam Horne 14. Finley Glare 16. Robert Mathias 17. Sanny Wabo 18. Valentine Richard 19. Zev John 20. Morea Morea 21. Rodrick Tai

Analysis: Jack de Belin is out with broken ribs and has been replaced by Liam Horne in the lock roll while Zac Laybutt is the new fullback which means Josh Feledy and Nene MacDonald are the centres in a backline reshuffle. Luca Moretti is back in the side as one of the starting props which has forced Valentine Richard to move back to the bench. Jacob Taulani, Sanny Wabo and Robert Mathias are new editions to the side and will come off the bench.

Samoa & England win in style | 01:51

New Zealand v Fiji @ Cbus Super Stadium, 3:45pm AEDT

NZ team: 1. Keano Kini 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Dane Gagai 4. Casey McLean 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 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. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 19. Scott Sorensen 20. Leo Thompson 21. Jacob Laban 22. Tanner Stowers-Smith

Analysis: The Kiwis have brought big boppers Moses Leota and Naufahu Whyte back into the side along with centre Dane Gagai, all of whom were rested for the Cook Islands match. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad goes to the bench and Joe Tapine starts at lock again. Isaiah Papali’i is back in the run on side and will partner Briton Nikora in the back row. Xavier Willison, Erin Clark and Scott Sorensen revert back to the bench and last-game debutant and try-scorer Tanner Stowers-Smith drops out of the 19 and to the reserves with Jacob Laban and Leo Thompson.

Fiji team: 1. Sunia Turuva 2. Ronald Philitoga 3. Waqa Blake 4. Solomone Saukuru 5. Semi Valemei 6. Kurt Donoghoe 7. Brandon Wakeham 8. Jacob Saifiti 9. Apisai Koroisau (c) 10. Emosi Ravosai 11. Taane Milne 12. Kitione Kautoga 13. Caleb Navale 14. Josese Lanyon 15. Elijah Keung 16. Jordan Miller 17. Joseph Litidamu 18. Jordin Leiu 19. Apenisa Driti 20. Zion Johnson 21. Bayleigh Bentley-Hape 22. Kylan Mafoa

Analysis: Sunia Turuva gets his chance to play fullback to replace the injured Bayley Bentleigh-Hape. It means Turuva’s wing spot will be filled by Ron Philitoga. Emosi Ravosai replaces the suspended Mitchell Prest at prop while Jordan Miller and Joseph Litidamu are new editions to the team.

NZ thump Cook Islands after early scare | 01:11

Australia v Cook Islands @ Queensland Country Bank Stadium @ 8:05pm AEDT

Australia team: 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. Lindsay Smith 19. James Tedesco 20. Sam Walker 21. Latrell Mitchell 22. David Fifita

Analysis: Kevin Walters has named Tom Dearden to start at halfback while Sam Walker is named in jersey 20 so that’s a big clue as to who the No. 7 will be for the knockout stages. Reece Walsh also returns to the side in the fullback role with James Tedesco named on the bench. Interestingly, Latrell Mitchell has not been named to start, with Bradman Best and Katoni Staggs lining up in the centres. Mitchell isn’t even on the interchange bench and neither is David Fafita. Harry Grant, Liam Martin and Isaah Yeo are back in the starting side while Ethan Strange will make his debut for the Kangaroos from the bench as a utility.

Cook Islands team: 1. Valentine Holmes 2. Paul Ulberg 3. KL Iro (c) 4. Reubenn Rennie 5. Cameron Brown 6. Maui Winitana-Patelesio 8. Davvy Moale 9. Ruatapu Ngatikaura 10. Rhys Dakin 11. Amare Milford 12. Delahia Wigmore 13. Mason Teague 17. Brad Takairangi 7. Esan Marsters 14. K-Ci Newton-Whare 15. Makahesi Makatoa 16. David Tuariki 18. Chaev Kolone 19. Glassie Glassie 20. Brody Tamarua 21. Pride Petterson-Robati 22. Esom Ioka 23. Reuben Porter

Analysis: Paul Ulberg is back in the side and will play on the wing for Esom Ioka who went off injured last week after he stunned the Kiwis with a hattrick. There are no other changes for the side.

Lebanon v France @ CommBank Stadium, 5:40pm AEDT

Lebanon team: 1. Jacob Kiraz 2. Tony Francis 3. Michael Gabrael 4. Jordan Samrani 5. Jason Saab 6. Joseph Nohra 7. Alex Conti 8. Jaxson Rahme 9. Moustafa Dirani 10. James Roumanos 11. Tony Sukkar 12. Abbas Miski 13. Alex Twal (c) 14. Yehya Ayache 15. Tupou Francis 16. Jalal Bazzaz 17. Khalil Rahme 18. Shadi Hammoud 19. Mikael Ibrahim 20. Ibrahim El Labban 21. Cameron Kanaan 22. Mohamed Alameddine

Analysis: With Khaled Rajab out, Joseph Nohra will play five-eighth alongside the promising Alex Conti who showed last week against Tonga that he’s a halfback of the future. Moustafa Dirani has been named at hooker and Jalal Bazazz reverts back to the bench and is joined by Yehya Ayache and Shadi Hammoud who have come into the side which again is captained by Alex Twal who lines up at lock. On last week’s performance, Lebanon will be favoured to secure their first win of the World Cup. It looks like they’ve been well beaten, on the scoreboard, in their first two games, but they’ve really taken the fight to both PNG and Tonga.

France team: 1. Arthur Mourgue 2. Léo Darrelatour 3. Guillermo Aispuro-Bichet 4. Roméo Tropis 5. Benjamin Laguerre 7. Thomas Lacans 8. Romain Navarrete 9. Alrix Da Costa 10. Julian Bousquet 11. Mathieu Cozza 12. Mathieu Jussaume 13. Benjamin Garcia (c) 14. Amir Bourouh 15. Lambert Belmas 16. Jordan Dezaria 17. Jowasa Drodrolagi 18. Théo Fages 19. Fouad Yaha 20. Tiaki Chan 21. Louis Grossemy 22. Arthur Romano

Analysis: Latrell Siegwalt is out with a shoulder injury and winger Guillermo Aispuro-Biche shifts into the centres after he came off the bench during last week’s 82-0 loss to England. Leo Darrelatour comes in on the wing for Fouad Yaha, who has been sent back to the bench. Cesar Rouge will starts at five-eighth while Thomas Lacans moves to No.7. Alrix Da Costa has been named at hooker and Mathieu Cozza starts in the back row with Amir Bourouh going to the bench.

Tonga overpower Lebanon | 01:56

Tonga v Samoa @ CommBank Stadium, 8:05pm AEDT

Tonga team: 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

Analysis: Tongan fans will be glad to see that star halfback Isaiya Katoa has recovered from an ankle injury and is back to guide the team around the park. Tui Lolohea goes to five-eighth and Latu Fainu moves back to the interchange. Robert Toia is back after being rested last week and will partner Tolutau Koula in the centres which means Paul Alamoti goes back to the interchange in jersey 20.Winger Dallin Watene-Zelezniak returns to the starting side for Sione Katoa. Tyson Frizell is back at lock so Jason Taumalolo goes up to the front row and Stefano Utoikamanu reverts back to the bench. Siua Wong is back in the starting side which means Kulikefu Finefeuiaki will warm the bench to start with.

Samoa team: 1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 2. Brian To’o 3. Izack Tago 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Sualauvi Faalogo 6. Chanel Harris-Tavita 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. Ronald Volkman 20. Pasami Saulo 21. Enari Tuala 22. Deine Mariner

Analysis: Coach Ben Gardiner has gone with the same starting line-up that beat PNG last week while Jazz Tevaga is back in the squad after missing out last week. Outside back Deine Mariner has been named in jersey 22 as he looks to come back from a hamstring injury he went down with in the opening game against the French. This will be a must-win game for Samoa if England beats PNG by more than 68 on Friday night