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Manchester: Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga has made no changes for the World Cup final, sticking solid with Nathan Cleary despite the halfback’s selection coming under scrutiny.
The New South Wales No. 7 has been solid but not outstanding at the World Cup and there were calls for Queensland veteran Daly Cherry-Evans to replace Cleary for the final against Samoa on Sunday morning AEDT.
A loss to the Pacific Islands nation – playing in their first World Cup final in any sport – would be catastrophic for Meninga and Cleary.
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Meninga adamant Kangaroos wary of Samoa | 02:28
Cleary made his Test debut in the group stages and admitted this week he was still finding his feet in a new side.
But Meninga emphasised the Kangaroos playmaker had been working his way up to this game and tipped Cleary to produce his best against Samoa.
“I’m very happy with the attitude and performance of all 24 players throughout the World Cup but keeping the same team for the final is a bonus,” Meninga said.
“We are all very well aware that our goal hasn’t been achieved yet and fully realise we are on the cusp of something very few players have had the opportunity to do.”
Meninga has named the same 19-man squad as last week – again in alphabetical order – with Cherry-Evans and Reuben Cotter again expected to drop out on game day.
Kangaroos prop Jake Trbojevic warned the star-studded Samoans, who eliminated England in the semis, will not be overawed by the occasion.
“They were tipped to do really well and I think they’ve lived up to those expectations,” Trbojevic said.
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“They’ve got a lot of high-quality players, premiership winners… Origin players, plenty with good experience and that will hold them in good stead.
“Last week, we saw in the big moments they didn’t get overawed or anything.
“They’re obviously very proud individuals and it’s going to be tough. There’s a lot of hard work that’s got to be done if we want to go well.”
KANGAROOS SIDE (alphabetical order)
Josh Addo-Carr
Reagan Campbell-Gillard
Patrick Carrigan
Daly Cherry-Evans
Nathan Cleary
Reuben Cotter
Angus Crichton
Tino Fa’asuamaleaui
Harry Grant
Valentine Holmes
Ben Hunt
Liam Martin
Latrell Mitchell
Cameron Munster
Cameron Murray
James Tedesco
Jake Trbojevic
Jack Wighton
Isaah Yeo
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