Battle for the 7: Dearden, Walker set for shootout to replace Moses
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Tom Dearden has declared he can help Australia win the IRL Rugby League World Cup as the Kangaroos look to overcome the loss of halfback Mitchell Moses for the remainder of the tournament.
The playmaker suffered a lower leg injury early in Thursday's tight win over the Kiwis and while he initially attempted to play on, was replaced by Dearden two minutes into the second half.
Scans over the weekend confirmed a high-grade muscle tear, with Ethan Strange to replace Moses in the Australian squad.
Coach Kevin Walters has already revealed Dearden will wear the No.6 jumper in Sunday's clash with Fiji, with Sam Walker to make his international debut at halfback.
The match looms as a shootout for the vacant No.7 jersey and the right to partner five-eighth Cameron Munster throughout the knockout stages at the World Cup.
Tom Dearden's player of the match performance
Two Queenslanders born one year apart, Dearden has watched Walker's development closely and is eager to link up for the first time.
"It's exciting to get to play alongside Sammy," Dearden told NRL.com. "We've got some great players and some great halves in this team. It's always a special moment to wear the Kangaroos jersey and play alongside the players in our team.
"The most important thing for us is to work out our combination. We'll get some reps together at training and be ready to go against Fiji."
Match: Australia v Fiji
Round 2 -
home Team
Australia
2nd Position
away Team
Fiji
1st Position
Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Australia struggled in attack through the first half of last Thursday's win over New Zealand but started to find their rhythm once Dearden entered the contest.
The playmaker has tasted Origin success alongside Munster for Queensland and claimed the Wally Lewis Medal after leading the Maroons to an unexpected series victory in 2025.
Tom Dearden's Game III player of the match performance
Dearden was able to rely on that combination at Allianz Stadium last week and feels it will hold him in good stead throughout the tournament should he find a permanent place in the halves.
"We've played a bit of footy together and after about 15 minutes last week we found our rhythm," Dearden said.
"We don't want to look at it as competition between two players within the team. We're focused on doing what's best for the team and whatever we can to win the World Cup.
"That's part of being a good teammate and Kevie will make a decision on what he thinks is best for the Kangaroos."
Dearden's shootout with Walker comes as Walters prepares to rotate his squad for Australia's clash with Fiji at Suncorp Stadium.
Clive Churchill Medallist James Tedesco will take over at fullback, with Knights centre Bradman Best also in the mix to come into the starting side.
Walker is preparing to play his first game since leading the Roosters to the premiership and Walters is confident the playmaker has benefited from a week off.
"For those guys that played in the grand final, it's been a big four or five weeks," Walters said. "Those teams that made it through to the grand final have played every week through the finals.
"Normally you get a week off in the finals but they've been playing every week. I thought what was best for Australia was that they have a spell [last] week and we'll bring them in [this] week and they can enjoy getting the Australian jersey back on."
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