Greg Inglis will start at fullback for the first time in his international career in Australia’s Rugby League World Cup clash with Fiji in St Helens on Saturday.
Inglis was on Wednesday named to play in his pet position with incumbent No.1 Billy Slater among several first-choice players rested for Australia’s second match of the tournament.
Kangaroos coach Tim Sheens’ final team will have seven changes from the side which beat England 28-20 in the tournament opener, with Daly Cherry-Evans selected at halfback and forwards Josh Papalii and Boyd Cordner handed international debuts.
Canberra’s Papalii will start in the second row alongside Luke Lewis while Sydney Roosters forward Cordner will come off the bench.
Others called into the side are Jarryd Hayne, Josh Morris, Michael Jennings and Nate Myles, after all missed selection against England in Cardiff.
Inglis switched from the centres to fullback to brilliant effect for South Sydney in 2012 but has never started at fullback in his 24 Tests for Australia, with Slater holding his spot at representative level.
Despite Slater saying he wanted to face Fiji, Sheens has opted to rest the Melbourne star and the coach hopes a move to fullback will spark Inglis after he saw little ball playing in the centres against England.
Saturday’s match is likely to be the first of many in the green and gold No.1 jersey for 26-year-old Inglis, who will likely succeed Slater, 30, at the back.
Cherry-Evans will partner Johnathan Thurston in the halves, with Cooper Cronk named on an extended bench but set to be rested for the match.
The Manly playmaker will likely play alongside Cronk in Australia’s third group game against Ireland, giving him a chance to push for the utility bench spot in the finals.
Sheens said it was also essential Cherry-Evans was ready to go if injury struck either of his top halves.
“With games to play you need to make sure Cherry has some game time under his belt,” Sheens told NRL.com.
“He’s the next halfback we’re going to use and we can’t afford to have him not play any football at all.”
Cherry-Evans was overlooked in game one for Robbie Farah, who retains a place on the bench against Fiji along with Andrew Fifita, who made his debut in the tournament opener.
Australia: Greg Inglis, Jarryd Hayne, Josh Morris, Michael Jennings, Darius Boyd, Johnathan Thurston, Daly Cherry-Evans, Matt Scott, Cameron Smith (capt), James Tamou, Luke Lewis, Josh Papalii, Nate Myles. Interchange: Boyd Cordner, Robbie Farah, Andrew Fifita, Paul Gallen, Cooper Cronk, Corey Parker, Brent Tate (three to be omitted).
