A frontrunner has emerged to accompany Cameron Munster in the halves for Australia as a glaring issue exposed itself during the Kangaroos\u2019 win over Fiji.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Tonga face a brutal selection call with the return of superstar halfback Isaiya Katoa.<\/p>\n
Watch Australia\u2019s Tour of South Africa Live & Exclusive on Fox Cricket, available on Kayo Sports | New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1<\/a>.<\/p>\n And elsewhere, Samoa\u2019s secret weapon has been revealed if they have any chance to topple Australia and New Zealand.<\/p>\n WHAT’S GAMBLING REALLY COSTING YOU? Set a deposit limit. For Free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au.<\/p>\n Here, foxsports.com.au looks at the biggest talking points from the second week of the World Cup!<\/p>\n DEARDEN OR WALKER? WHO WEARS NO.7 JERSEY?<\/p>\n Australian Kangaroos coach Kevin Walters faces a major selection headache after the nation\u2019s unconvincing performance against Fiji.<\/p>\n While Cameron Munster appears set to wear the No.6 jersey for the Kangaroos, the battle for the halfback spot remains wide open with Sam Walker and Tom Dearden both contending for the same role.<\/p>\n According to CODE Sports reporter Peter Badel, the Roosters halfback has done enough to put himself in the box seat.<\/p>\n Meanwhile, Dearden struggled to make the same impression.<\/p>\n \u201cKevvie needs to sort out his No.7. I think Cameron Munster comes back in next week on the left side at No.6. I think the points are with Sam Walker,\u201d Badel said on Channel Seven.<\/p>\n \u201cI thought Tom Dearden was disappointing, a bit clunky. I just thought Sam Walker had better moments. <\/p>\n \u201cThe halves are where he really needs to bend down before the semi-finals and I think Sam Walker on some of his touches tonight has done enough for the No.7 jumper<\/p>\n The verdict puts further pressure on the Kangaroos coach, but Walters remains tight-lipped about who will partner Munster in the halves.<\/p>\n \u201cThey combined well. I thought Sammy had a really good game and Tommy was in and out of the game,\u201d he said on Channel Seven after the match.<\/p>\n \u201cIt was one of those games where there wasn\u2019t too much flow. <\/p>\n \u201cAnyway, we came here to win and we got that, so plenty to work on as well.\u201d<\/p>\n READ MORE<\/p>\n Star on the chopping block; No.7 frontrunner emerges after Fiji disaster \u2014 Crawls\u2019 Roos Ratings<\/a><\/p>\n \u2018Untouchable\u2019: Teddy, Turbo save the day as Kangaroos survive almighty Fiji scare<\/a><\/p>\n \u2018Wouldn\u2019t call it a headache\u2019: Kev addresses Kangaroos No.1 battle after Teddy\u2019s big statement<\/a><\/p>\n BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA – OCTOBER 25: Sam Walker of Australia is tackled during the 2026 Men’s Rugby League World Cup match between Australia Kangaroos and Fiji at Suncorp Stadium on October 25, 2026 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Chris Hyde\/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n Speaking on Channel Seven, former NRL fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen also weighed in on the debate and suggested Walters must decide by next week, as the uncertainty is affecting the halves as they try to find their rhythm.<\/p>\n \u201cYou want to play your best footy in the Australian jersey and best footy in general when you\u2019re out there, but I think that might be playing on some of their minds,\u201d Papenhuyzen said.<\/p>\n \u201cSammy Walker looked good and Dearden looked a little bit clunky. <\/p>\n \u201cI think the halfback takes control in these situations and when the game pans out like this, the five-eighth doesn\u2019t get the opportunity they usually would. <\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s a hard one. I don\u2019t know what they do with the halfback position, but either one you\u2019d be happy with and they\u2019d both do a role.\u201d<\/p>\n Luke Keary echoed the need for Walters to decide sooner rather than later, warning the coach must settle on his strongest spine combination before the semi-final.<\/p>\n \u201cThe big Sammy Walker, Tommy Dearden, Cam Munster, how that looks is going to be fascinating because Kevvie\u2019s got to decide probably by next week,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat is my strongest combination? One, seven, six, and nine, and stick with it.\u201d<\/p>\n Koula goes the distance for Tonga! | 00:32<\/p>\n KANGAROOS\u2019 GLARING ISSUE EXPOSED<\/p>\n Kevin Walters has a big problem on his hands.<\/p>\n While his looming fullback and halves calls shape as crucial decisions, league legend Luke Keary highlighted another glaring issue for Australia after a disappointing display against Fiji.<\/p>\n He believes the Kangaroos coach must overhaul his right edge after the combination of David Fifita, Kotoni Staggs and Tom Trbojevic were consistently troubled by Fiji\u2019s attack.<\/p>\n Fiji\u2019s first try came through Semi Valemei, with Trbojevic caught infield as the former Cowboys winger surged onto a beautiful Kurt Donoghoe cut-out pass.<\/p>\n Valemei also scored two more to complete his hattrick, while Solomone Saukuru was also denied after slicing straight through a gaping hole.<\/p>\n \u201cThat right edge needs to be fixed up very quickly,\u201d Keary said at the start of the second half during Channel 7\u2019s coverage, with Fiji on the charge.<\/p>\n \u201cDavid Fifita, Kotoni Staggs, Tom Trbojevic, something needs to be done.\u201d<\/p>\n He doubled down 10 minutes later, once again highlighting the issue he urged Walters to fix.<\/p>\n \u201cWalters has to make a chance here, he needs to bring Staggs off, Trbojevic off, bring Latrell on at that right centre spot,\u201d Keary said.<\/p>\n Walters resisted a substitution and Trbojevic scored a try to level the scores in the 47th minute, crossing the line twice more.<\/p>\n Kotoni Staggs of Australia celebrates a try.Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n While Australia surged away in the end, the damage was already done.<\/p>\n For the remainder of the World Cup, rival teams will almost certainly plan to send traffic down the Kangarooos\u2019 vulnerable edge unless Walters makes a change.<\/p>\n Mitchell and Staggs were Australia\u2019s first choice centres against the Kiwis, with the Rabbitohs superstar riding the pine in their second outing.<\/p>\n Staggs was sent to the sin bin for a professional foul in that clash and he managed only 46 running metres to go with two errors in a display that left much to be desired.<\/p>\n Then against Fiji, Staggs tallied 45 running metres, one error and 10 tackles to go with a try.<\/p>\n Trbojevic, meanwhile, scored an intercept try against the Kiwis to go with his hattrick, proving to be a lethal threat close to the line.<\/p>\n Interestingly, the Sea Eagles star also began drifting to the left edge in a free-roaming role as he had previously done for the Blues during Brad Fittler\u2019s time at the helm.<\/p>\n He was quizzed on the tactic post-match, saying: \u201cIt was something that comes naturally to me, being a fullback that\u2019s what we do. Happy to play wherever in this jersey, but we have a bit of work to do\u201d.,<\/p>\n Mitchell looks likely to be in Walters\u2019 best side come the World Cup finals and with Staggs on the chopping block, Bradman Best shapes as the Kangaroos other centre option.<\/p>\n However, both Mitchell and Best both play on the left edge in clubland, causing a further headache for Australian selectors.<\/p>\n Meanwhile, Liam Martin looks likely to slot back into the back row, with the Panthers gun being a battle-hardened defender.<\/p>\n Cook Islands stun NZ with quick triple | 00:33<\/p>\n HAVE THE BULLDOGS FOUND BURTON\u2019S REPLACEMENT?<\/p>\n On Friday evening, Canterbury Bulldogs GM of Football Phil Gould confirmed Matt Burton had been granted permission to explore options with rivals<\/a> before he officially becomes a free agent on November 1.<\/p>\n The development has thrown Burton\u2019s future at Belmore into further doubt, with the NSW Blues representative already linked with a host of teams including the Eels, Panthers and Perth Bears.<\/p>\n With Burton unlikely to remain at the club beyond 2027, the Bulldogs will be on the lookout for a new halves partner for Lachlan Galvin.<\/p>\n Less than a couple of hours after news of Burton\u2019s future hit, young gun Alex Conti produced a clinic in the World Cup, emerging as a potential option to partner Galvin in the halves and allowing Stephen Crichton to shift back to the centres.<\/p>\n Although Conti\u2019s Lebanon were defeated 36-0 by Tonga, he stole the show and was one of the Cedars\u2019 shining lights even after his halves partner Khaled Rajab was ruled out early in the opening half with injury.<\/p>\n Tonga steamroll Lebanon in RLWC | 02:27<\/p>\n Rather than going into his shell, he stood up and took control of his side\u2019s attack with his expert kicking and passing game.<\/p>\n He also made five tackle breaks, the third most of any player during the match, which is nearly unheard of from a halfback.<\/p>\n \u201cI thought he improved from last week again,\u201d Lebanon Michael Cheika said.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s not easy for us. We haven\u2019t played a game since the World Cup last time.<\/p>\n