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Australia
16
Match Complete
New Zealand
14
| N. Cleary |  | 54 | ||
| C. Murray |  | 52 | ||
| 38 | | J. Rapana | ||
| 36 | | D. Brown | ||
| V. Holmes | | 29 | ||
| 25 |  | J. Rapana | ||
| N. Cleary | | 17 | ||
| J. Addo-Carr | | 15 | ||
| 12 | | J. Rapana | ||
| 10 | | J. Hughes |
| 3 | Tries | 2 | ||
| 2 | Conversions | 2 | ||
| 0 | Penalty Goals | 1 | ||
| 0 | Field Goals | 0 |
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A Rugby League World Cup final spot goes on the line this morning when Australia take on New Zealand at Elland Road in Leeds. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 6:45am (AEDT).
Well, the big games are finally here. With the exception of the Kiwis’ nailbiter against Fiji last weekend, these teams have been barely challenged. Both preparations have been based on building combinations for this game.
Australia dispensed of Lebanon 48-4 in the quarter-final last weekend. As dominant as they were, the 66 per cent completion rate underlined the clunkiness of the attack. They will need better this weekend to test the Kiwis.
The Kangaroos will know that they lack size in the forward pack compared to their New Zealand counterparts. The kicking games of Nathan Cleary and Cameron Munster will be crucial in turning this big Kiwi pack around,
If they can do that successfully, the likes of Harry Grant and Cameron Murray will get that speed in the ruck, and the Australian backline will prove hard to stop.
There are a couple of changes in the Australian team, with Reagan Campbell-Gillard back after recovering from a cork. He replaces Lindsay Collins. Ben Hunt also returns and will likely start in the hooker role.
The Kiwis survived an almighty scare against Fiji in their quarter-final, coming from behind to win 24-18. The Bati might have done a New Zealand a big favour, with this team now battle-hardened in terms of dealing with World Cup pressure.
The Kiwis’ completion rate was markedly better than Australia, but their attack at times looked pedestrian. They will be looking for their pack to dominate again. Jahrome Hughes and Dylan Brown possess plenty of creativity in the halves, and the world-class Joseph Manu can cause havoc unless closely marked.
In team changes, Moses Leota replaces Scott Sorensen in the squad. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves has served his one-game suspension but remains out with injury, while winger Dallin Watene-Zelezniak returns from a calf strain.
Prediction
The Kiwis will be looking to win this through their big pack.
However, the Australian forwards will be looking to make a statement and I think they will just about match New Zealand.
If they can do that, the Kangaroos just have too many points of attack. There is class across the entire backline, and it will prove too much for New Zealand.
Australia by 10.
Kick-off: 6:45am (AEDT)
Venue: Elland Road, Leeds
TV: Fox League
Live stream: Foxtel, Kayo Sports
Odds: Australia: $1.20; New Zealand: $4.50 – odds via PlayUp
Australia
1. James Tedesco (c) 4. Valentine Holmes 8. Latrell Mitchell 10. Jack Wighton 9. Josh Addo-Carr 7. Cameron Munster 14. Nathan Cleary 5. Jake Trbojevic 3. Ben Hunt 18. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui 17. Angus Crichton 21. Liam Martin 24. Isaah Yeo
Interchange: 2. Daly Cherry-Evans 14. Cameron Murray 13. Patrick Carrigan 20. Harry Grant
Reserves: 6. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 16. Reuben Cotter
New Zealand
1. Joseph Manu 2. Ronaldo Mulitalo 4. Peta Hiku 21. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 5. Jordan Rapana 6. Dylan Brown 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Jesse Bromwich (c) 9. Brandon Smith 10. James Fisher-Harris 12. Kenneath Bromwich 16. Nelson Asofa-Solomona 13. Joseph Tapine
Interchange: 11. Isaiah Papali’i 14. Kieran Foran 17. Briton Nikora 20. Isaac Liu
Reserves: 15. Moses Leota 19. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak
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