'My toughest decision': Cleary gets halfback shot as Mal rings changes

Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga plans to leave a decision on his No.1 halfback until as late in the World Cup as possible, with Nathan Cleary to get his chance against Scotland this weekend.

Cleary replaces Sea Eagles captain Daly Cherry-Evans in one of seven changes to the side which beat Fiji 42-8 last weekend, and will make his Test debut alongside Panthers team-mates Isaah Yeo and Liam Martin.

Rabbitohs back Campbell Graham, Bulldogs playmaker Matt Burton and Roosters prop Lindsay Collins will also pull on a Kangaroos jersey for the first time in Coventry.

Eels prop Reagan Campbell-Gillard is the other new face in the side, while Jack Wighton, Harry Grant, Pat Carrigan and Angus Crichton will start after playing from the interchange against the Bati.

Meninga wants to ensure every member of the 24-man squad has an opportunity to push for a place in the team for the sudden-death matches later in the pool but particularly Cleary and Cherry-Evans.

“That will be the toughest decision,” Meninga said. “They will both get a fair opportunity to put their best foot forward. It is not only how they play but how they train and how they gather themselves around the group.

“They both know what is in front of them and I know that they are both up for a challenge. At some stage on this tour, I have to tell someone that they are in and someone that they are out, unfortunately.”

Cherry-Evans got the first shot at retaining the halfback role he has played since 2018 against Fiji and Meninga was impressed by his kicking game and organisation.

Cleary will play against the Bravehearts and then Meninga is likely to recall Cherry-Evans for the next match against Italy, with the possibility he may pair them in the halves and rest five-eighth Cameron Munster.

Meninga hasn’t indicated whether he will make the final call before the quarter-final, in which Australia is set to play Ireland or Lebanon, or wait until the semi-final, which is expected to be against New Zealand at Elland Road.

“Nathan has obviously had a great year from a club point of view and with Chez, his club has struggled but his Origin form was fantastic, and he led the Queenslanders to success,” Meninga said.

“They are both very good around the team, they have great knowledge and great communication skills so I will leave it to the last moment.”

Meninga said the battle between Cleary and Cherry-Evans for the Kangaroos halfback spot could be compared to that of Allan Langer and Ricky Stuart on the 1990 and 1994 Kangaroos tour.

“It is a bit like that, or Wally [Lewis] and Bert [Brett Kenny] or Turvey [Steve Mortimer] and Sterlo [Peter Sterling] from way back,” he said.

“It is a good headache to have and I am just going to keep an open mind and make a judgement late.”