Reece Walsh has responded to criticism suggesting Australia’s forwards were physically dominated before the Kangaroos’ Rugby League World Cup semi-final against Samoa.
The Brisbane fullback will wear the No. 1 jersey at Allianz Stadium on Sunday night, while James Tedesco has been named on an extended six-man bench.
Walsh took issue with claims that Australia’s forward pack had failed to make its mark in the tournament’s earlier matches.
Some fans have been particularly critical of the Kangaroos’ forwards, warning that another below-par performance could bring a shock early exit.
‘Australia will need to be very disciplined or Samoa will run through them,’ one fan posted.
‘Lol they’ll be absolutely outmuscled in the forwards,’ another added.
Reece Walsh has defended Australia’s forward pack after criticism during the Rugby League World Cup
Walsh, pictured with Jack Bostock, says his Kangaroos teammates have been ‘disrespected’ despite Australia winning all three pool matches
‘Critics are right our middle has been soft,’ a third supporter wrote.
Walsh said the remarks had shown a lack of respect for the work being done by Australia’s forwards.
‘I feel like our forward pack’s been disrespected a lot this tournament,’ he said.
‘There’s a lot of talk about the other teams. They’re great players. They’re awesome players, don’t get me wrong.
‘But the way that this pack works their a*** off for us, they’re the reason why we’re winning these games and the reason why we’re working so hard. The passion they play with and the hard work, the kick chase, the small details.’
Australia are unbeaten heading into the semi-finals, although the Kangaroos have endured testing moments against both New Zealand and Fiji.
They edged New Zealand 24-22 in their opening match before beating Fiji 36-22. That second performance prompted a blunt assessment from Sydney Roosters coach Trent Robinson.
‘Australia got outmuscled by Fiji and they did by New Zealand last week,’ Robinson said in commentary.
Kangaroos coach Kevin Walters says Australia must produce its best performance of the tournament against Samoa. Pictured: Harry Grant, Tino Fa’asuamaleaui and Reuben Cotter stand together
‘It doesn’t matter what halves pair you play… can they win the forward battle? Can they create enough of a platform?
‘Australia needs to muscle up more than what they did in the first two Tests. They need to get a hell of a lot better there.’
Robinson said Fiji had continued to test Australia well beyond the opening stages of the match.
‘They were losing in the 60th minute, not just in the 20th minute. Fiji outmuscled them in how they carried the ball and how they tackled.’
Walsh then delivered a standout performance in Australia’s 66-6 demolition of the Cook Islands, scoring one try and setting up five others.
He credited the forwards with providing the platform for that success, saying many of their most important contributions had gone unnoticed.
‘It’s something that the fans and you guys [media] probably don’t see, but we see and that’s one thing I see with these other teams,’ he said.
‘When they’re looking at us, they know the strengths that we bring.
Isaah Yeo of Australia is tackled during the Kangaroos’ opening match against New Zealand
‘All credit to them, they’re awesome packs but I love these boys and how hard they work because those little efforts… we appreciate them so much.’
Australia forward Liam Martin also acknowledged that the criticism had been noticed within the Kangaroos camp.
‘We all know that we haven’t played our best game, but the really exciting thing is we know we’ve got so much improvement in us, so if we bring our best game, I don’t think anyone can match us,’ Martin said.
‘You’ve got to have that mentality of taking it to them and when people criticise you and say that you know they’ve got it over you. We take it pretty personally.’
Walters has retained Walsh as Australia’s starting fullback for the tournament’s biggest match, despite Tedesco entering the World Cup after helping the Roosters claim the NRL premiership.
Walsh had spent about two months on the sidelines with an ankle injury, but his performances in the green and gold have secured him the position.
There was also a notable selection decision in the centres, with Bradman Best keeping his place ahead of Latrell Mitchell.
Mitchell and Tedesco were named on an extended interchange bench alongside Ethan Strange, Keaon Koloamatangi, Cameron Murray and Reuben Cotter. Tom Dearden and Cameron Munster will continue in the halves.
Australia now face a Samoa team coming off a bruising clash with Tonga, and Walters has warned his players that they will need to produce their strongest performance of the tournament.
‘Samoa were very impressive in a physical battle which had a lot of emotion last weekend against Tonga and we know we are in for a tough contest on Sunday night,’ Walters said.
‘It’s going to be a great occasion in front of a full house at Allianz Stadium, and we’ve got to meet the occasion with our best performance of the tournament.’
Samoa have been forced into one change, with Ronald Volkman replacing Chanel Harris-Tavita at five-eighth after Harris-Tavita suffered a hamstring injury.
In the other semi-final, Kalyn Ponga’s inclusion in New Zealand’s extended squad has raised the possibility of another clash with Walsh if both nations reach the final.
Ponga was named only 22 days after breaking his forearm in the tournament opener against Australia, although Keano Kini remains New Zealand’s starting fullback for Saturday night’s semi-final against Tonga in Newcastle.
