Rugby League World Cup final 2017: Team lists for the Australia-England showdown
THE rugby league year is set to come to a close with the World Cup final between Australia and England on Saturday night. Here are the full team lists for both sides.
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THE rugby league year is set to come to a close with the World Cup final between Australia and England on Saturday night.
With England forced into a reshuffle following an injury to star Canberra hooker Josh Hodgson, they’ve deployed James Roby as their new hooker and opted for an all-forward bench.
Australia are not expected to make any changes.
As expected, the two strongest nations of the Women’s World Cup will battle it out for top honours ahead of the men’s final on Saturday.
The Jillaroos are the defending champions but will face their toughest task of the tournament when they go up against the Kiwi Ferns.
Before their victory in 2013, the Ferns had the wood over the Australians, winning three straight World Cup trophies.
For Australia, the clash marks an end of an era for two trail blazers of the women’s game with Stephanie Hancock and Renea Kunst announcing the final at Suncorp Stadium will be their last in the green and gold.
WOMEN’S RUGBY LEAGUE WORLD CUP FINAL
Saturday, 5:45pm (AEDST), Suncorp Stadium
Australia: The Jillaroos have cruised through the group stages, scoring 184 points and conceding just four en route to the semi-final where they belted Canada 58-6.
New Zealand: The Kiwi Ferns were just as dominant as their trans-Tasman rivals, running in 164 points to four in their three pool matches and destroying England 52-4 in their semi-final. Dynamic centre Honey Hireme has been in great form through the tournament, scoring 11 tries in her four matches.
MEN’S RUGBY LEAGUE WORLD CUP FINAL
Saturday, 8:00pm (AEDST), Suncorp Stadium
Australia: 1. Billy Slater 2. Dane Gagai 3. Will Chambers 4. Josh Dugan 5. Valentine Holmes 6. Michael Morgan 7. Cooper Cronk 8. Aaron Woods 9. Cameron Smith 10. David Klemmer 11. Boyd Cordner 12. Matt Gillett 13. Josh McGuire 14. Wade Graham 15. Jordan McLean 16. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 17. Tyson Frizell 18. Felise Kaufusi 19. Tom Trbojevic 20. Josh Mansour 21. James Maloney
No changes for the Kangaroos, who are expected to go with the same team for the third week running.
England: 1. Gareth Widdop 2. Jermaine McGillvary 3. Kallum Watkins 4. John Bateman 5. Ryan Hall 6. Kevin Brown 7. Luke Gale 8. Chris Hill 9. James Roby 10. James Graham 11. Sam Burgess 12. Elliott Whitehead 13. Sean O’Loughlin 14. Alex Walmsley 15. Thomas Burgess 16. Ben Currie 17. Chris Heighington 18. Jonny Lomax 19. Scott Taylor 20. George Williams 21. Mark Percival
Wayne Bennett has decided to go with Chris Heighington as his final man on the bench, eschewing a utility completley. As a result, James Roby will be called upon to play 80 minutes at dummy half.
BROADCAST TIMES
WOMEN
Australia v New Zealand — Women’s Rugby League World Cup Final
Sydney 4.15pm LIVE on 7mate and 7Live app
Melbourne 4.15pm LIVE on 7mate and 7Live app
Brisbane 3.15pm LIVE on 7mate and 7Live app
MEN
Australia v England — Men’s Rugby League World Cup Final
Sydney 7.00pm LIVE on Channel 7 and 7Live app
Melbourne 7.00pm LIVE on Channel 7 and 7Live app
Brisbane 6.00pm LIVE on 7mate, 6.30pm LIVE on Channel 7 and 7Live app