Kangaroos coach Kevin Walters says he hasn’t made a call on who will play fullback later in the World Cup, with James Tedesco and the other players not picked to face the Kiwis to feature in next week’s match against Fiji.
Tedesco is coming off a man-of-the-match performance for the Roosters in the grand final earlier this month, but Walters has gone with Reece Walsh for Thursday’s game against New Zealand.
The Broncos fullback hasn’t played for two months after an ankle injury ended his season, but Walsh did star for Australia during last year’s Ashes tour.
Tedesco, Bradman Best and Sam Walker have all been given the game off after playing in the grand final, but they’ll get their chance to shine next week in Brisbane.
“Everything that I make decisions on are around the team, and this week I feel it’s best that Reece is at fullback,” Walters said.
“I haven’t decided that position yet (for the rest of the tournament). That’s why we’re here, and they’ll both get an opportunity.
“They’re both Clive Churchill Medallists in the last two (grand finals) so I look at it that way. We’re very fortunate to have both of them in the team. They’re different players, but I love what they both bring to the team.
“Teddy is the more experienced custodian, and Reece is on the way up as such, so we’ve got a good mix there which I’m really grateful for.
“Teddy will get his opportunity next week. He’s had a good week’s rest. It’s been a big campaign for him the last four or five weeks. Not just him, but Sam as well and Bradman.
“So I feel in the best interest of the team that they get a spell this week and then they’ll play next week.”
Nine members of Australia’s starting 13 are coming in fresh after their NRL clubs missed out on the finals, but players such as Jacob Preston, who has been training at his brother’s gym on Sydney’s northern beaches, have stayed fit.
The entire spine missed out on finals, with Walters picking Mitch Moses and Cameron Munster to start in the halves for the opening game of the tournament.
The veterans both made their NRL debuts 12 years ago and have played against each other plenty of times at club level and in Origin, with both men needing to stand up with Nathan Cleary out injured.
“I’ve admired him from afar for a long time now,” Moses said of his halves partner.
“We’re the same age, I’ve been playing my whole career against him, and to be able to go out there and share the field with him for the first time is exciting.
“I get along with him really well, and I’m just excited to get out there with him and the whole squad.
“Kev’s picked a really good squad here with the best players in the world, and anytime you get to rub shoulders with that, learn wherever you can, and pull on the jersey is exciting.”
Walker will get his shot next week, with Thursday’s match seen as an audition for spine players for spots in the finals.
“I think you should do that no matter what,” Moses said.
“It doesn’t matter if everyone’s going to get a go or anything like that; you never know when it’s going to be the last time you pull the jersey on, so you wear it with pride and passion every time you do it, and I get a chance to do that tomorrow night.”
Originally published as ‘I haven’t decided’: Kevin Walters explains controversial World Cup selections for Kiwis clash