Australia fullback Reece Walsh has publicly defended his teammates in the Kangaroos' forward pack, stating that they have been "disrespected" during the Rugby League World Cup. Critics have suggested that Australia's forwards have been outmuscled in previous matches, raising concerns about their performance in the upcoming semi-final against Samoa.
Walsh, who retains the No. 1 jersey for the semi-final, argued that the forward pack's hard work and "little efforts" are crucial to the team's success and often go unnoticed by fans and media. "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," Walsh stated.
Despite Australia remaining unbeaten, their pool matches against New Zealand and Fiji included periods where they faced significant pressure. Sydney Roosters coach Trent Robinson commented that Australia "got outmuscled" by Fiji and New Zealand, emphasizing the need for a stronger forward platform.
Walsh's defense comes as coach Kevin Walters has entrusted him with the starting fullback role over James Tedesco, who was named on an extended bench. The team also sees Bradman Best retaining his centre position ahead of Latrell Mitchell. Australia is preparing for a challenging semi-final against Samoa, who are coming off a physical match against Tonga. Walters has stressed the necessity for Australia to deliver their "best performance of the tournament."