World Cup Round 1 team lists: Walsh picked over Tedesco, Ponga debuts for Kiwis

Kevin Walters has picked Reece Walsh at fullback ahead of James Tedesco for the Kangaroos' World Cup opener against the Kiwis, with Walsh returning from a syndesmosis injury. Mitch Moses wins the halfback spot over Sam Walker, while Jack Bostock and Jacob Preston make their Test debuts and David Fifita debuts for Australia off the bench. The Kiwis hand debuts to Kalyn Ponga and Dane Gagai, with Jahrome Hughes back for his first Test since 2023 and James Fisher-Harris captaining. Elsewhere, Api Koroisau captains Fiji against a Cook Islands side led by KL Iro. Jarome Luai and Junior Paulo co-captain Samoa against France, with Knights forwards Jermaine McEwen and Francis Manuleleua debuting. Jason Taumalolo leads Tonga against England in Perth, where Hugo Savala headlines four English debutants. Rhyse Martin's PNG host Alex Twal's Lebanon in Port Moresby.

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