The Agenda Setters Rugby League on Channel 7: Kevin Walters backs unchanged Kangaroos side – Kangaroos coach Kevin Walters expects to stay loyal to the team that beat Samoa when Australia meets New Zealand in the Rugby League World Cup final.
Speaking live on The Agenda Setters Rugby League, Walters told Corey Parker that Australia’s middle defence had produced its strongest and most confident performance of the tournament. He said the Kangaroos would need to repeat that work against a New Zealand side carrying its own attacking threats.
The comments sharpen the focus on Sunday’s decider: Australia has found its best form at the right time, but Walters believes the final will be decided by discipline and defensive control rather than attacking reputation alone.
Defence at the centre of Australia’s final plan
Parker asked where Australia’s mindset needed to be after the Kangaroos had beaten New Zealand by only two points when the teams last met. Walters pointed first to the middle of the field.
He said strong defence through the middle would flow to both edges, giving Australia the foundation it needs against a New Zealand team capable of producing something from nothing.
Defence wins the big games. And both teams have got lots of attacking flair and guys that can create opportunities out of nothing.
Kevin Walters, Kangaroos coach
Walters added that New Zealand would approach the match with the same defensive priority. That sets up a final between two teams with dangerous attacking players but little room for error.
Walters leaning towards the same 19 players
Parker also asked whether the group that dismantled Samoa would be retained for the final. Walters said that remained the plan unless an injury or another issue emerged during the week.
Certainly, I feel like that was our best performance and those guys that were given the opportunity put their hand up to take it.
Kevin Walters, Kangaroos coach
He described it as a long rugby league weekend and acknowledged that circumstances can change. Even so, Walters said Australia would be sticking “pretty tight” to the same 19-player group.
The discussion aired with Parker, David Riccio, Aaron Woods and Luke Keary on The Agenda Setters Rugby League. The programme continues to follow the major tournament and NRL stories on Channel 7 and 7plus.
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