Australia Kangaroos player Greg Inglis. Source: Getty Images
HE'S already stated that wants to be the best fullback in the game by the end of his career, now Greg Inglis will get the chance to show the world just how dangerous he is when he pulls on the Kangaroos No.1 jumper in the Test against Fiji.
Coach Tim Sheens has produced quite a selection shock when he named the South Sydney superstar at fullback in a team that included a stack of changes from the squad that beat England in the World Cup opener.
Daly Cherry-Evans will get his first run-on start for Australia when he partners Johnathan Thurston in the halves while Kangaroo rookie Josh Papalii has also been named in the run on team and Boyd Cordner will make his Test debut off the bench.
Sheens has also decided to back up skipper Cameron Smith against Fiji after Australia's sluggish start to the tournament.
Sheens was expected to give Smith a rest this week which would have opened the door for Paul Gallen to captain the Kangaroos for the first time but instead Gallen has been named on the bench.
Sheens obviously feels the Kangaroos have a bit to work to do following their opening effort against England but Billy Slater has been given the week off after taking out the players' player award last week.
But Slater's absence opens opportunity for Inglis to push his claims in the position he makes no secret is his favourite.
Before he got injured in Origin three this year, Inglis was having his best ever season at the Rabbitohs but after coming back from his knee injury he struggled to recapture the same form and wasn't running the ball near as much.
But Inglis says the rest since the end of the NRL season has done him the world of good and his knee is almost back to 100 per cent.
Inglis didn't get a great deal of opportunity against England playing in the centres although he did make one memorable play when he stole the ball out of Sam Tomkins' hands to set up the Kangaroos' opening try for Johnathan Thurston.
No doubt Sheens will want to see him running the ball more this week and if he impresses who knows what could unfold down the line in this tournament.
Jarryd Hayne will also play his first match of the tour on the wing while Josh Morris and Michael Jennings will do the same as the centre pairing.
Nate Myles has been named at lock with Papalii and Luke Lewis in the back row and Sheens has gone with the same starting front row that played against England with James Tamou, Smith and Matt Scott.
Andrew Fifita, Paul Gallen, Robbie Farah and Boyd Cordner make up the bench.
The Australian team to take on Fiji: Greg Inglis, Jarryd Hayne, Josh Morris, Michael Jennings, Darius Boyd, Johnathan Thurston, Daly Cherry-Evans, Nate Myles, Josh Papalii, Luke Lewis, James Tamou, Cameron Smith (c), Matt Scott. Interchange: Andrew Fifita, Paul Gallen, Robbie Farah, Boyd Cordner.
31 Oct, 2013
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Source: http://www.news.com.au/national/greg-inglis-named-at-fullback-for-kangaroos-world-cup-clash-with-fiji/story-e6frfkp9-1226749976777?from=public_rss
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