Daly Cherry-Evans' World Cup truth bomb after 'mixed bag' for Australia
Rugby League great Corey Parker has brutally suggested that Kangaroos halfback Daly Cherry-Evans has played his last game at the Rugby League World Cup after a "mixed bag" for Australia against Fiji.
The Aussies opened their World Cup campaign with a big, albeit not entirely convincing 42-8 win in Leeds on Saturday (Sunday AEDT).
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Cherry-Evans was given the nod at halfback ahead of Penrith's two-time premiership winner Nathan Cleary, but failed to really make the opportunity count.
The Manly captain showed signs of rust, preferring to keep things simple against Fiji as five-eighth and man-of-the-match Cam Munster worked his magic.
Munster enjoyed reuniting with his Queensland State of Origin halves partner but says he feels for Mal Meninga as the Kangaroos coach nears a decision on his first-choice halfback.
Cleary is set to win his first cap against Scotland in Coventry next week, with a final group game against Italy to follow before the knockout stages get underway the following week.
By the time the game with Italy comes around, fans may know who has won the battle to be halfback between incumbent Cherry-Evans and Penrith's premiership star Cleary.
Cherry-Evans made 20 tackles without missing one in what was an impressive defensive display against Fiji, however, he did make two big errors to go with one linebreak assist and one try assist.
Speaking after Australia's win, Parker and his fellow Fox League panelists Greg Alexander and Braith Anasta discussed whether Cherry-Evans had done enough to justify being picked ahead of Cleary - the man regarded by many as the best player in the game.
“In terms of working combinations, Australia will have new players come in for the next game you would think in those positions that are up for grabs,” Alexander said.
“The halves, the back-rowers and possibly even in the centres and the wingers.
“But once you decide on who your best team is, do you then play that team, so that they can work combinations?”
Anasta then asked his colleagues how they rated Cherry-Evans' performance, with Parker suggesting that he'd blown his chance to make the Australian No.7 role his own.
"As Brandy (Alexander) just touched on when you do decide what your best 17 is going to look like, you need to really start to implement that so you can work on those combinations," Parker said.
“I don’t know if Daly Cherry-Evans will play another game at halfback.”
Anasta interjected by asking: “You think he might be done for the World Cup?”
“Well I think he may be,” Parker added.
“Provided everything goes well in terms of players not getting injury, how do you dislodge somebody like Nathan Cleary?
“Yes Cleary is still yet to prove himself in an Australian jersey, but Daly Cherry-Evans has been there for a long period of time.
“It was a mixed bag from him. A couple of kicks didn’t go where he needed. A couple of passes didn’t go where he needed. And from your halfback you really need that.
“Cleary will get an opportunity against Scotland and I’m sure he will make the most of that, but it is only a short preparation.
“Yes they are the best players in the world the Australians, but you need cohesion.”
Even Cherry-Evans' halves partner Munster admitted that Meninga had a brutally touch job as coach to pick a starting line-up from Australia's star-studded squad.
"Nathan Cleary hasn't played yet and he's been one of the best players in the (NRL) competition at the moment," Munster said.
"We have got so many good players and it's obviously a good headache for Mal to have.
"It's great to be back playing with 'Chez' (Cherry-Evans) and obviously (fellow Queenslanders) Harry Grant and Ben Hunt as well.
"We've got that morale and combination but all the positions are obviously up for grabs."
Aussies turn it on after disjointed first half
Sluggish in the opening 15 minutes in front of a 13,366 strong pro-Fiji crowd, Australia failed to get out of first gear and were behind on the scoreboard before most fans had taken their seats.
Canberra's Semi Valemei dotted down after just three minutes but Australia found a spark through Grant's injections off the bench and Munster's constant scheming.
"I was happy with our defence," Meninga said.
"We were clunky and can improve with the ball but that was our first hit-out with seven debutants with just a week of preparation.
"I think we can get better definitely."
Lively debutant Jeremiah Nanai grabbed a try with just his second touch before a 95-metre try from Josh Addo-Carr and a strong barge-over from Angus Crichton put the Kangaroos in a commanding position at half-time.
They continued their rout into the second half with tries to newly-appointed captain James Tedesco, Grant and Latrell Mitchell, before Addo-Carr added a second to his name.
The only blight for Australia was a concussion for North Queensland forward Reuben Cotter, who failed his HIA after clattering headfirst into Fiji prop Tui Kamikamica.
"He's fine, we'll probably rest Reuben next week," Meninga said.
"We have Reagan Campbell-Gillard and Lindsay Collins sitting on the sidelines so they'll definitely get a run.
"The guys who didn't play will get a run next week."
with AAP
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