Aussies go full Nelson
RCG recalled to wrestle with Kiwi colossus
REAGAN Campbell-Gillard has been recalled to the Kangaroos alongside Ben Hunt as Australia braces for an all-out assault from the Kiwis’ big men in Saturday morning’s (AEDT) sudden-death World Cup semi-final in Leeds.
Coach Mal Meninga named a 19-man squad in alphabetical order but Campbell-Gillard is expected to make the final cut alongside the recalled Hunt.
It means there was no place in the squad for Lindsay Collins, while Daly Cherry-Evans will lose his place on the interchange bench as Meninga looks to rotate Hunt with Harry Grant in the hooking position against the world’s No.1-ranked side.
Australian players are under no illusions about what is coming their way at Elland Road as they brace for New Zealand to play a physical game based around its size advantage in the forward pack.
Collins was omitted from the squad but will play an important role regardless after being enlisted to help Australia prepare for the threat of Kiwi giant Nelson Asofa-Solomona.
Collins was a prominent figure at training on Tuesday night (AEDT) because he was one of two players to wear a yellow bib in the opposed session.
The other alternated among different players.
It is understood Collins was enlisted to play the role of Asofa-Solomona as the Kangaroos attempt to build a game plan designed to take advantage of the Melbourne Storm giant.
Asofa-Solomona has been one of the most damaging players at the World Cup on the edge and in the middle.
Curbing his attack and then exploiting him in defence could be the key to Australia qualifying for the World Cup final.
“It is going to be pretty physical,” Hunt said.
“I am thinking of it as like an Origin game. It is going to be very physical and we have to dominate their forward pack.
“They are really big and if we want to win, I think that is where it is won.”
Asked what CampbellGillard brought to the side, Hunt said: “A lot of experience and a real hard nose in the middle. He is straight up and down Reg. He runs hard, he tackles hard, he can play big minutes.
“I think he is a guy who deserves to be back in the side.”
As well as Asofa-Solomona, New Zealand is expected to recall Jared Waerea-Hargreaves for the semi-final after he missed the win over Fiji because he was suspended.