Evening Football News: Tedesco to Captain the Kangaroos as World Cup Teams Are Named

Team lists for round two of the Rugby League World Cup are out, and there’s plenty for Aussie fans to chew on tonight.

Tedesco leads the Kangaroos against Fiji
James Tedesco is back as Kangaroos captain for Sunday’s clash with Fiji at Suncorp Stadium (8:05pm AEDT). It’s his first Test since 2023. Coach Kevin Walters has rotated his squad. Bradman Best, Blayke Brailey, David Fifita and Sam Walker will make their Kangaroos debuts. Reece Walsh drops to the extended bench, and Harry Grant, Isaah Yeo and Liam Martin are rested. Tedesco praised Walsh’s opener against the Kiwis and said the No.1 jersey isn’t a competition.

Ponga out, Kiwis reshuffle
New Zealand have ruled out Kalyn Ponga with his broken arm for Sunday’s game against the Cook Islands in Christchurch (4:05pm AEDT). Keano Kini moves to fullback. Tanner Stowers-Smith and Jacob Laban are set to make their Test debuts off the bench. On the other side, Valentine Holmes is over his ankle injury and will make his Cook Islands debut at fullback.

Two new Jillaroos for the England clash
Coach Jess Skinner has handed Jillaroos debuts to Roosters premiership winner Sariah Paki and Dragons recruit Makenzie Weale. Both start on the bench for Saturday’s match against England at HBF Park in Perth. Isabelle Kelly captains the side, with Kezie Apps and Jess Sergis rested. It shapes as a real test, because England opened their campaign by beating Wales 70-6.

The rest of round two
Tonga play Lebanon at CommBank Stadium on Friday night (8:05pm AEDT), with Jason Taumalolo moving to lock. England keep the same 19 to face France in Perth on Saturday. Samoa lose Deine Mariner to a hamstring injury before their game against PNG in Port Moresby.

A tough night in Graz for Jacob Italiano
Socceroo Jacob Italiano was visibly emotional after his Grazer AK side lost the Graz derby 6-1 to Sturm Graz. Early in the game he chased down a backpass, and his trailing leg caught Sturm goalkeeper Daniil Khudyakov, who broke his lower leg and needed surgery. Italiano said he never meant to hurt the keeper and wished him a quick recovery.

Stensness on the radar
Australian defender Gianni Stensness is in strong form for Norwegian club Viking. He has five goals this season, including his first Champions League goal in a 3-3 draw with Bayern Munich. Reports say Hull City and Bundesliga side Hamburg are watching him ahead of the January window.

Gear up for Champions League week
With Arsenal and Manchester City both in Champions League action this week, now’s a good time to fly the flag. The Arsenal FC Core Crest Flag ($24, shop here) and the Manchester City FC Core Crest Flag ($24, shop here) are both in stock. Rugby fans can browse the rugby ball range too.

Whether you’re backing the Kangaroos, the Jillaroos or your favourite European club, Football Heaven has you covered. We’re an Australian store selling officially licensed football and rugby merchandise from more than 250 brands, and we’ve been trading since 2006. Find your team at footballheaven.com.au.

Both flags showed stock on the site tonight (131 and 130 units). Football Heaven doesn’t list any Kangaroos or rugby league products, so the rugby link goes to the category page. The Stensness story is based on a transfer report, so the article calls it a report rather than confirmed interest.

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