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Seven players will make their Kangaroos debut as Australia take on Fiji to open their Rugby League World Cup campaign.
Murray Taulagi, Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, Angus Crichton, Jeremiah Nanai, Harry Grant, Reuben Cotter and Pat Carrigan will all don the green and gold jersey for the first time.
Meanwhile star fullback James Tedesco will also make his captaincy debut with Cameron Murray assisting him as vice-captain.
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Coach Mal Meninga made the call to rest Panthers trio Nathan Cleary, Liam Martin and Isaah Yeo as well as Eels prop Reagan Campbell-Gillard given they all played in the NRL grand final a fortnight ago.
That means Manly veteran and the incumbent halfback Daly Cherry-Evans gets first shot at the hotly-contested position.
Meninga will follow the Queensland Maroons blueprint with a one-two punch hooking combination of Ben Hunt and Harry Grant, while Jack Wighton’s versatility has landed him a spot on the bench too.
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Fiji have endured a disrupted preparation with coach Joe Rabele being hospitalised after falling ill.
Adding to their woes, Dragons powerhouse Mikaele Ravalawa has pulled out of the tournament due to a hamstring injury, while Pio Seci and Joseph Ratuvakacereivalu also won’t play.
But there’s still plenty to get excited out with Panthers rising star Sunia Turuva starting at fullback, try-scoring freak Maika Sivo on the wing, the barnstorming Viliame Kikau in the second row and the crafty Api Koroisau at hooker.
Follow the action live in our blog below. If you can’t see it, click here.
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