Rugby league great Greg Alexander believes the looming encounter between the Kiwis and the Kangaroos is set to be the biggest game of the World Cup.
The two sides have dominated their respective pools thus far, the Kiwis annihilating Jamaica 68-6 while the Kangaroos put on a clinic to beat Scotland 84-0 in their latest matches.
Having already qualified for the quarterfinals with one pool match remaining, Alexander has touched on the playoff structure that will likely see the tournament’s two best sides face off in the semi-finals.
“New Zealand and Australia are the best two sides, but they meet in the semi-finals so that’s a final for both sides,” Alexander told SENZ Mornings.
“As to who wins and goes through to the final, that’s the biggest game of the World Cup.”
While the clash is all but locked in, Alexander believes the Kangaroos’ halfback headache is far from over for coach Mal Meninga.
Daly Cherry-Evans is the incumbent playmaker, however, the rise of Nathan Cleary - who scored 28 points with three linebreak assists and try assists in his debut against Scotland - has put a damper on the veteran’s hopes of retaining the position.
When asked if he thinks Cleary will get the nod over Cherry-Evans in the semi-finals, assuming they face the Kiwis, Alexander responded: “I think so.
“I think Cleary is the number one option … after what he’s done, I think Nathan Cleary deserves to be the number seven on the back of his form for the last two years.
“We haven’t played international football since 2019. Since 2019, Cleary’s gone to a Grand Final, won two Grand Finals, won an Origin series – didn’t win this year’s Origin series, but that didn’t mean he played poorly.
“Queensland beat New South Wales in the decider by six points or eight points, so it was a tight series.
“Cleary was fantastic in Game II, so an incumbency really doesn’t mean much because it’s that long ago; it’s three years ago.”
Alexander believes Cleary is one of the best in the game and for that, deserves his opportunity in the starting halfback role.
“I think if you’re going to pick your best players, and that’s what you pick for Australia … I know there’s been a lot of talk about combinations, but I think Cleary’s a good enough player,” Alexander added.
“Even though the game against Scotland … I don’t think you learn much when a side wins by 80, I think Mal’s just got to go with his best players.
“At the moment, Cleary’s one of the best players in the comp, doesn’t matter what position he plays; that’s across the board.”
Both the Kangaroos and the Kiwis will now head into their final dead-rubber fixtures against Italy and Ireland before taking on the quarterfinals the following weekend.