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Australia are looking for a clean sweep when they take on Italy in their final pool game before the business end of the Rugby League World Cup kicks off.
Coming off an 84-nil masterclass against Scotland, coach Mal Meninga is taking the opportunity to rest key players including star five-eighth Cameron Munster.
MATCH CENTRE: Australia vs Italy live score, updates, stats
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It means that after playing one game each at halfback, Daly Cherry-Evans and Nathan Cleary will link up in the halves. It will be their last chance to prove to Meninga before the quarter-finals why they should play halfback going forward.
The tournament’s equal leading tryscorer, Josh Addo-Carr will also sit this one out, while Harry Grant, Angus Crichton and Jake Trbojevic get a well-deserved rest.
Reuben Cotter is back on deck after missing the Scotland win due to concussion protocols and he is joined by his Cowboys teammate Murray Taulagi.
Italy are coming off a 60-4 smashing at the hands of Fiji but have made no key changes to their line-up.
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Australian captain James Tedesco will go up against a nation very close to his heart, having represented Italy in the 2013 and 2017 World Cups.
The Azzurri will have to put a horror week behind them when they take on the tournament heavyweights. News Corprevealed that up to 12 players — including skipper Nathan Brown — had to seek hospital treatment after grazes suffered from playing on a synthetic pitch became infected.
TEAMS
Australia: 1. James Tedesco 19. Campbell Graham 10. Jack Wighton 12. Matt Burton 23. Murray Taulagi 2. Daly Cherry-Evans 14. Nathan Cleary 6. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 3. Ben Hunt 13. Patrick Carrigan 11. Cameron Murray 21. Liam Martin 24. Isaah Yeo. Interchange: 4. Valentine Holmes 15. Lindsay Collins 16. Reuben Cotter 18. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui. 18th man: 8. Latrell Mitchell 22. Jeremiah Nanai
Italy: 1. Luke Polselli 2. Richard Lepori 3. Daniel Atkinson 4. Ethan Natoli 5. Jake Maizen 6. Jack Campagnolo 7. Radean Robinson 8. Alec Susison 9. Dean Parata 10. Anton Iara 12. Brenden Santi 16. Gioele Celerino 13. Nathan Brown. Interchange: Joe Tramontana 15. Luca Moretti 19. Luke Hodge 20. Jack Colovatti. 18th man: 17. Ronny Paulumbo 18. Kyle Pickering
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