Mal Meninga names star studded Australia team as he makes halfback decision and strange bench call

Mal Meninga has named his team for Australia’s second game of the World Cup which takes place at Coventry on Friday night.

Meninga has made seven changes to the team that beat Fiji comfortably at Headingley last Saturday including a decision on who will play at seven and an interesting call on the bench.

This interesting decision amongst the interchanges sees versatile outside back Valentine Holmes start amongst the subs alongside Ben Hunt who drops to the bench to allow Harry Grant to start at nine.

Meanwhile, the big call is of course the Australia debut for Nathan Cleary who joins Cameron Munster in the halves as Daly Cherry-Evans misses out.

Latrell Mitchell is given a rest at centre with Jack Whighton and Matt Burton set to start as Isaah Yeo gets his debut at loose-forward and is vice-captain.

Burton, Yeo and Cleary are all debutants as are Campbell Graham on the wing, Liam Martin at second-row and Lindsey Collins on the bench.

The captain is of course James Tedesco who starts at fullback.

Team in full:

1 James Tedesco
9 Josh Addo-Carr
12 Matt Burton
10 Jack Wighton
19 Campbell Graham
7 Cameron Munster
14 Nathan Cleary
6 Reagan Campbell-Gillard
20 Harry Grant
13 Patrick Carrigan
17 Angus Crichton
21 Liam Martin
24 Isaah Yeo
Substitutes
3 Ben Hunt
15 Linsey Collins
4 Val Holmes
5 Jake Trbojevic