Kangaroos coach Kevin Walters says picking between fullbacks James Tedesco and Reece Walsh is a blessing rather than a headache. Tedesco starred in Australia's 36-22 win over Fiji in Brisbane, while Walsh was a standout in the opening win over New Zealand. Walters praised both players and says a decision will be made before the next match. Australia will face either Samoa or Tonga in the World Cup semi-finals in Sydney on Sunday 8 November.
Tonga coach Kristian Woolf says his side sees itself as equal to the Kangaroos and Kiwis at the Rugby League World Cup. Tonga beat Lebanon 36-0 in Sydney, keeping its perfect tournament record and moving close to a semi-final spot. Woolf said his squad is the strongest he has worked with across three World Cups. Tonga next plays rival Samoa, a match co-captain Jason Taumalolo expects to be physical and emotionally charged.
Stefanos Tsitsipas beat James Duckworth 6-3 6-4 in the quarter-finals of the Almaty Open on Friday. Tsitsipas hit 15 aces and 33 winners and did not face a single break point. He will play Nikoloz Basilashvili in the semi-finals. Top seed Daniil Medvedev, who beat Terence Atmane on Friday, must first get past Alexander Bublik. Alex de Minaur, ninth in the ATP Finals race, is taking a week off while rivals earned points in Europe.
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England can still reach the Rugby League World Cup semi-finals after losing their opener 30-12 to Tonga. Brian McDermott's side must beat France and Papua New Guinea and finish with a better points difference than Samoa. England also need Tonga to beat Samoa next weekend, which would help England on head-to-head results. Samoa currently holds a large points difference advantage. Papua New Guinea's result against Samoa could also shape England's chances.
