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Try time! This time it’s Jacob Preston. It’s Jazz Tevaga who has been shown up defensively again. Promoted into the starting side, the 31-year-old Wakefield Trinity star is having a shocker. He should have stopped Preston.
Australia 12, Samoa 2 - 16th minute
Francis Molo might have saved the day, but the Kangaroos will get another opportunity to attack Samoa after taking the ball dead.
The Kangaroos have been given another set of six too.
Try time! It’s Dearden. It’s terrible defence but the halfback has sliced straight through and scored.
First tackle from the scrum and he’s over. Way too easy. Poor defence from the lock Francis Manuleleua and hooker Jazz Tevaga.
It’s a penalty to Crichton from bang in front.
The Kangaroos got through their first set of six unscathed. Only the 31m made, before a scrappy kick that has Samoa in strong field position. That’s made ever better by the penalty they’ve got. So it’s a new set of six immediately and they’re deep inside Australia’s territory.
It’s a pretty sight. The rain is falling from the Sydney skies.
Samoa’s national anthem is being belted out in the middle of Allianz Stadium.
The anthems are done. Here’s Samoa’s Siva Tau.
The atmosphere is building at Allianz Stadium, but it’s nowhere near the levels of a week ago. Last week, there was colour, flags, noise and serious vibes. It was like a State of Origin match on steroids.
In tonight’s earlier match, the Jillaroos booked themselves a date with New Zealand in next weekend’s women’s World Cup.
Thanks to four tries from winger Abbi Church, Australia overcame a spirited display against Fiji to run out 30-14.
They will take on New Zealand, who hammered Samoa 32-0 yesterday.
In a late change for the Kangaroos, Kevin Walters has promoted Keaon Koloamatangi to the starting side, replacing Pat Carrigan. While Samoan coach Ben Gardiner has named Jazz Tevaga at hooker over Benaiah Ioelu.
Earlier in the week, Walters kept faith in the Queensland spine, naming Reece Walsh at fullback over James Tedesco, so it will be a Walsh-Munster-Dearden-Grant Kangaroos spine. But can they click?
1. Reece Walsh 2. Jack Bostock 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Bradman Best 5. Tom Trbojevic 6. Cameron Munster 7. Tom Dearden 15. Keaon Koloamatangi 9. Harry Grant 10. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui 11. Jacob Preston 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo (c) 8. Patrick Carrigan 14. Ethan Strange 16. Cameron Murray 17. Reuben Cotter 18. Latrell Mitchell 21. Sam Walker 22. Blayke Brailey
1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 2. Brian To’o 3. Izack Tago 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Sualauvi Faalogo 6. Ronald Volkman 7. Jarome Luai (c) 8. Francis Molo 14. Jazz Tevaga 10. Junior Paulo (c) 11. Connelly Lemuelu 12. Jermaine McEwen 13. Francis Manuleleua 9. Benaiah Ioelu 15. Spencer Leniu 16. Shawn Blore 17. Ata Mariota 18. Clayton Faulalo 19. Deine Mariner 20. Pasami Saulo
Hello and welcome to the Herald’s live coverage of the second Rugby League World Cup semi-final between Australia and Samoa. Kick-off is 8.05pm AEDT.
I’m Christy Doran, and I’ll be with you this evening bringing you all action from Allianz Stadium.
The showers have cleared and it’s a nice evening in Sydney.
