Reece Walsh and Kalyn Ponga are poised to resume their fierce rivalry after decisive coaching decisions ahead of the Rugby League World Cup semi‑final.
On Tuesday, Walsh was named the Australian No. 1 full‑back, edging out James Tedesco for the Kangaroos’ semi‑final against Samoa in Sydney on Sunday.
Kalyn Ponga has been included on New Zealand’s extended bench for Saturday night’s decisive clash with Tonga in Newcastle, just 22 days after fracturing his forearm in a spectacular full‑back duel with Walsh during the tournament opener.
Youngster Keono Kini will once again start as custodian at McDonald Jones Stadium, and Ponga’s selection signals that the Newcastle Knights star is likely to be available for the final if the Kiwis advance.
Coach Stacey Jones also added hooker Phoenix Crossland to New Zealand’s extended reserves, while Australian head coach Kevin Walters made the most notable decision of his tenure by selecting Walsh instead of Tedesco.
The selection debate has persisted throughout Australia’s three group‑stage victories.
Tedesco arrived at the World Cup in outstanding form after contributing to the Sydney Roosters’ NRL premiership, whereas Walsh had been sidelined for two months with an ankle injury.
Nevertheless, Walsh – the standout of last year’s Ashes series – has earned the support of former Broncos coach Kevin Walters for the tournament’s decisive stage.
Walsh and Ponga were both electrifying in Australia’s 24‑22 victory over New Zealand last month, and Walsh earned man‑of‑the‑match honors after contributing to five tries in Saturday’s 66‑6 defeat of the Cook Islands.
In another key Australian selection, Bradman Best has secured the left‑centre position by overcoming South Sydney’s talisman Latrell Mitchell.
Both Tedesco and Mitchell are included on a six‑man bench that also features Canberra’s Ethan Strange and Cameron Murray, expected to fill Allianz Stadium for a sell‑out crowd.
Tom Dearden and Cameron Munster will combine in the halves.
“Samoa impressed us with a physical battle full of emotion from last weekend’s match against Tonga, and we expect a tough contest on Sunday night,” Walters said.
“It will be a great occasion in front of a full house at Allianz Stadium, and we must deliver our best performance of the tournament.”
Samoa made one forced change, with Ronald Volkman replacing Chanel Harris‑Tavita (hamstring) at five‑eighth.
In the other semi‑final, Tonga remain unchanged, while Crossland is eligible to appear for the first time since serving a four‑match suspension for his leg‑breaking tackle on Nathan Cleary in the NRL preliminary final.
The Newcastle hooker was officially added to New Zealand’s squad on Monday night after forward Jacob Laban was declared injured.
Jones has selected Charnze Nicoll‑Klokstad on the wing following Ronaldo Mulitalo’s one‑game suspension for a shoulder charge against Fiji.
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