Walters explains decision to not start premiership duo in opening clash

Australian coach Kevin Walters has explained his rationale behind his selections for the Kangaroos for their opening match against New Zealand on Thursday.

Having come off a successful Rugby League Ashes last November against England, the Broncos legend is looking to finish his tenure on a high, with Australia looking to win their fourth straight World Cup.

Ahead of their Group A match against New Zealand on Thursday, Walters has named his starting 13, having decided to go with a side that has fresher legs.

In the team, the Broncos legend has chosen Reece Walsh over James Tedesco as the starting fullback alongside Mitchell Moses starting over Sam Walker at halfback.

Speaking on his decision, the 58-year-old admitted he was keen to give those playing through the entire NRL finals a rest in their first game for the tournament.

“There's no real how and why; there's a couple of reasons for the decision,” Walters said on SEN’s The Run Home with Joel and Fletch.

“One, James and Sam have both come through a pretty arduous campaign in the NRL. The last four or five weeks with finals and playing every week and that constant finals footy, and they haven't really sort of had much of a rest with winning the Grand Final as such.

“It's always a big moment in everyone's life, and they needed to enjoy that, so my philosophy is around what's best for the team this week for Australia, and that will change weekly.

“My intention is to give every player in the 23 an opportunity to start in games and get their opportunity, not to show us what they've got, because we're all aware of that and what sort of players they are.

“But just to get their opportunity, I think, and this week, obviously we can't play two fullbacks. I'm sure most countries would like to play their two fullbacks, but we can only pick one.

“We've gone with Reece this week; he gets the first opportunity, but it's not to say it's the end opportunity either.”

The Rugby League World Cup gets underway on October 15 with the World No.1 Kangaroos taking on the World No. 2 Kiwis at Allianz Stadium in Sydney.

SEN League will have live commentary of the match across our radio network and on the SEN app as part of our coverage of the Rugby League World Cup.