Wigan Warriors duo among three late changes to England side for Papua New Guinea clash
England and Papua New Guinea have made late changes to their squads ahead of Friday’s Rugby League World Cup clash
England coach Brian McDermott has made three late changes to his side that will face Papua New Guinea in their final Rugby League World Cup group game on Friday.
McDermott has made a triple change to the team list that was made public on Tuesday, with Wigan Warriors star Brad O’Neill coming back into the side, having now been named on the bench. Hull KR man Jez Litten is still set to start at hooker.
O’Neill will be joined on the bench by versatile back Zach Eckersley and experienced Leeds Rhinos forward Kallum Watkins, who was a late arrival in the England camp after replacing the injured Morgan Smithies in the first week of the tournament.
Meanwhile, forward Victor Radley and versatile back Jack Welsby - who were both named on the bench in Tuesday’s initial team list - drop out of the squad to face the Kumuls on Friday, while Ben Currie moves to the 18th man spot.
Teams will name six-person interchange benches throughout the Rugby League World Cup - but only four of those six players are allowed to enter the field of play.
Papua New Guinea coach Jason Demetriou has also made a late change, with Leigh Leopards ace Edwin Ipape brought out of the squad that will face England. Ipape’s Leigh teammate Liam Horne will fill the void at hooker, with Valentine Richard set to start at 13.
Former Warrington Wolves centre Rodrick Tai replaces Ipape in the Kumuls’ matchday squad, with Tai being named on the bench amid a slight reshuffle to the starting line-up. London Broncos man Alex Max is named as the Kumuls’ 18th man for Friday’s showdown with England in Wollongong.
England: AJ Brimson; Dom Young, Hugo Savala, Herbie Farnworth, Matty Ashton; George Williams, Harry Smith; Max King, Jez Litten, Luke Thompson, Junior Nsemba, Kai Pearce-Paul, Morgan Knowles. Subs: Mikey Lewis, Sam Walters, Ethan Havard, Brad O’Neill, Zach Eckersley, Kallum Watkins. Reserve: Ben Currie.
Papua New Guinea: Zac Laybutt; Robert Derby, Josh Feledy, Nene Macdonald, Dudley Dotoi; Gairo Voro, Bailey Biondi-Odo; Epel Kapinias, Liam Horne, Luca Moretti, Rhyse Martin, Nixon Putt, Valentine Richard. Subs: Finley Glare, Jacob Taulani, Robert Mathias, Sanny Wabo, Zev John, Rodrick Tai. Reserve: Alex Max.
England’s clash with Papua New Guinea takes place at WIN Stadium in Wollongong on Friday, 9:05am kick-off (GMT). The game will be broadcast live on Premier Sports 1 and Premier Player.