Samoa Lose Harris-Tavita as Volkman Steps In for Kangaroos Semi-Final

Samoa have been forced into a late change for their Rugby League World Cup semi-final against Australia, with five-eighth Chanel Harris-Tavita ruled out by a hamstring injury. Ronald Volkman comes into the starting side after impressing off the bench against Tonga, where he took over the playmaking duties and helped steer Samoa through a dramatic quarter-final. The change is the headline alteration for a Samoan side that has already defied expectations to reach the last four, and Volkman now faces the daunting task of directing his team against the tournament favourites at Allianz Stadium in Sydney on Sunday at 8:05 p.m. AEDT. Australia, who named an unchanged starting side from their 66-6 win over Cook Islands, welcome back Cameron Murray on the interchange bench, while Latrell Mitchell is recalled in the No. 18 jersey. Samoa's reshuffle adds another layer of intrigue to a semi-final that already pits the defending champions against a side chasing a place in the final at Suncorp Stadium on November 15.