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Superstar halfback Jahrome Hughes will play his first game of the World Cup after missing the opening two games with a thigh strain.
Hughes lines up alongside gun five-eighth Dylan Brown while the Kiwis have received another huge boost, with Jared Waerea-Hargreaves returning.
The front row enforcer was hit with a three-game suspension during the infamous ‘sin bin Sunday’ clash but has now served his sentence.
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Fellow front rower Moses Leota (chest) and gun backrower Marata Niukore (hamstring) will both sit out against Ireland.
Nelson Asofa-Solomona will also start his first game of the tournament will Briton Nikora has shifted to centre.
COTTER RETURNS
Kangaroos forward Reuben Cotter has been cleared to play in Australia’s final group game against Italy on Sunday AEDT.
Cotter copped a nasty head clash in Australia’s opener against Fiji and was sidelined for their win over Scotland due to concussion protocols.
The 23-year-old admits the concussion was “a bad one” but emphasised he’s raring to go against the Italians.
“I didn’t realise how bad it was. I’m glad I ended up staying off because it was pretty bad,” Cotter told The Daily Telegraph.
“I tried to use some late feet to throw them off – wrong place, wrong time. Tui (Kamikamica) came forward and I stepped into him. It was a bad way to go out but I’ll be right.
“(I’ve had) week off and I’ll get back into it.
“I remember everything that happened up until the head knock. We obviously won which is good too. I’m feeling good now and I didn’t have many symptoms afterwards. That was a positive sign.”
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While the North Queensland star was at terms with the decision to be removed from the field, his father Terry was far from impressed.
“My phone was blowing up when I came off,” Cotter said.
“Dad got into me. No sympathy from dad.
“They were pretty excited – they were up early to watch it.”
Australia have already qualified for the quarters and are expected to face Lebanon, before a highly-anticipated clash against New Zealand in the semis.
But Cotter emphasised the Kangaroos aren’t getting ahead of themselves.
“Every match you pull on an Australian jersey is important and I won’t be looking at it any different,” he said.
“I’m sure the boys who play won’t be either. We have to continue building in these three games.
“I just have to play to my ability and my strengths.
“Everyone wants to play… in these big games. Everyone will be going hard for it.”
Read below for all World Cup Early Mail!
SATURDAY OCTOBER 29
New Zealand vs Ireland 5:30am AEDT at Headingley Stadium, Leeds
New Zealand team: 1. Joey Manu, 2. Ronaldo Mulitalo, 17. Briton Nikora, 4. Peta Hiku, 5. Jordan Rapana, 6. Dylan Brown, 7. Jahrome Hughes, 8. Jesse Bromwich (c), 9. Brandon Smith, 10. James Fisher-Harris, 12. Kenny Bromwich, 16. Nelson Asofa-Solomona, 13. Joseph Tapine, Interchange: 11. Isaiah Papali’I, 14. Kieran Foran, 18. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, 20. Isaac Liu, 21. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, 23. Scott Sorensen
Late Mail: Superstar Joey Manu returns to fullback while Jahrome Hughes plays his first game of the tournament alongside Dylan Brown in the halves. Meanwhile, Jared Waerea-Hargreaves’ suspension has ended and he will play his first game against Ireland. Moses Leota (chest) and Marata Niukore (hamstring) are both out injured.
Ireland team: 1. Richie Myler, 20. Louis Senior, 3. Ed Chamberlain, 4. Toby King, 5. Innes Senior, 6. Luke Keary, 7. Joe Keyes, 17. Dan Norman, 16. Brendan O’Hagan, 10. Jaimin Jolliffe, 11. James Bentley, 12. Frankie Halton, 13. George King (c), Interchange: 9. Josh Cook, 14. James McDonnell, 15. Harry Rushton, 18. Henry O’Kane, 20. Louis Senior, 21. Ronan Michael, 22. James Hasson
Late Mail: Brendan O’Hagan starts at hooker, with Josh Cook coming off the bench. The same backline remains, while Liam Byrne will sit out after being hit with a suspension.
SUNDAY OCTOBER 30
England vs Greece 12:30am AEDT at Bramall Lane, Sheffield
England team:
Late Mail:
Greece team:
Late Mail:
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Fiji vs Scotland 3:00am AEDT at Kingston Park, Newcastle
Fiji team:
Late Mail: Tui Kamikamica (suspended)
Scotland team:
Late Mail:
Australia vs Italy 5:30am AEDT at Totally Wicked Stadium, St Helens
Australia team:
Late Mail:
Italy team:
Late Mail:
Lebanon vs Jamaica 23:00pm AEDT at Leigh Sports Village, Leigh
Lebanon team:
Late Mail:
Jamaica team:
Late Mail:
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MONDAY OCTOBER 31
Tonga vs Cook Islands 1:30am AEDT at Riverside Stadium, Middlesborough
Tonga team:
Late Mail:
Cook Islands team:
Late Mail:
Samoa vs France 4:00am AEDT at Halliwell Jones Stadium, Warrington
Samoa team:
Late Mail:
France team:
Late Mail:
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TUESDAY NOVEMBER 1
Papua New Guinea vs Wales 5:30am AEDT at Eco-Power Stadium, Doncaster
Papua New Guinea team:
Late Mail:
Wales team:
Late Mail:
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