‘Have a beer’: Mal Meninga’s Kangaroos selection headache only worsens

Daly Cherry-Evans has given a telling interview as Australia’s selection dramas only intensified following a thumping win over Italy.

Daly Cherry-Evans on Fox League.

Australia has cruised through to the quarter-finals of the Rugby League World Cup with a thumping win over Italy on Sunday morning.

Australia is undefeated heading into the knock-out stage and didn’t even need to be at their best to walk away with a 66-6 victory in St Helens.

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The Aussies were clunky at times, but moments of individual brilliance were more than enough to give coach Mal Meninga further selection headaches.

The biggest debate continues to swirl around the halves with Daly Cherry-Evans and Nathan Cleary both looking to cement the halfback position to partner Cameron Munster.

Meninga took the strange option of playing Cleary and Cherry-Evans on the field at the same time in the win against Italy, giving both a final audition.

Daly Cherry-Evans on Fox League.

Cleary appears to have edged ahead of the Manly superstar, who played mostly at five-eighth, and Cherry-Evans is at peace with the prospect of being overlooked for the knock-out stage.

When interviewed by Fox League after the game, he said he will “have a beer” when asked how he will keep his mind off the selection squeeze heading into the quarter-final clash with Lebanon.

“No, you have to keep busy over here. Getting away from footy. Normally I have my family around to get away from that, but over here, these boys become my family,’’ he said.

“It’s obviously going to be beaten up as a competition and don’t get me wrong I want to be in the final 17, but those decisions are out of my hands,” he said of the battle with Cleary.

“I’m proud of playing two games for Australia and I’m hoping that’s not the last one, but if it is, we’ll just see.

“I’m hoping this isn’t my last game, but if it is I’ll still be here to support the team.”

He said he was “proud” of being given a chance to play for Australia two times this World Cup.

The Kangaroos were dominant and there was little concern about a try being conceded in the second half.

Australia had 10 individual try scorers, while Campbell Graham and Murray Taulagi both grabbed doubles.

Campbell Graham crosses again. Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images.