Walters Sticks With Unchanged Kangaroos as Walsh Keeps Fullback for Samoa Semi

Australia coach Kevin Walters has stuck with the same starting 13 that completed a perfect World Cup group phase for Sunday's Rugby League World Cup semi-final against Samoa at Allianz Stadium in Sydney. The Kangaroos crushed Cook Islands 66-6 in Townsville on Saturday night, and Walters has backed that side to get the job done again, with the semi-final kicking off at 8:05pm AEDT on November 8. The big selection call sees Reece Walsh keep the fullback jersey ahead of James Tedesco, while Tom Dearden continues at halfback as the more traditional complement to Cameron Munster after Mitchell Moses went down in the tournament opener. Latrell Mitchell, who sat out the final pool game, has been named in the No. 18 jersey. The semi-final forms part of a historic double-header at Allianz Stadium, with the Australian Jillaroos facing Fiji in the women's semi-final at 5:45pm AEDT beforehand. Samoa reached the last four after a dramatic campaign, and the match is a rematch of the 2022 World Cup final, which Australia won. Walters' loyalty to the side that beat Cook Islands underlines the competition for places in the Kangaroos squad, with Tedesco, Sam Walker and Mitchell all missing out on starting roles in an ultra-competitive team. Australia have been far from their best at times in this tournament despite their unbeaten run, and Samoa will believe they can trouble the world champions. The winners will advance to the World Cup final at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane on November 15.