Billy Slater is all but assured of a return from injury in the World Cup final against New Zealand after Tim Sheens named him in the Kangaroo’s 19 man squad.
Slater has been working hard to overcome a knee injury in recent weeks. His addition to the squad means that it is all but certain we will see Greg Inglis move back into the centers against New Zealand.
Slater has all the motivation in the world to be fit for the World Cup final. He made a disastrous blunder in the 2008 World Cup final, a mistake that will forever be etched into the history books of the game. If Slater is fit to play on the weekend and the Kangaroo’s manage to win the game, it may go some way to helping Slater redeem his 2008 moment of madness that many people feel handed New Zealand their first World Cup title.
Greg Inglis has been sensational throughout the World Cup so far. In my opinion he has been the best player in the tournament. He has played in the centers and at fullback at different times and dominated in both positions.
There is a feeling among many people that Australia is a more dangerous side with Inglis at fullback. One that I tend to agree with. I think the more ball the Greg Inglis gets, the better the chance the Kangaroo’s win the game.
If Slater is fully fit though it would be very hard for Tim Sheens to leave him out. Especially when you consider that Inglis plays so well in the centers, and that along with Jarryd Hayne, he helps give Australia’s back line a very ominous look about them.
The Australian squad for the 2013 World Cup final is:
Cameron Smith (capt), Greg Bird, Darius Boyd, Daly Cherry-Evans, Cooper Cronk, Andrew Fifita, Jarryd Hayne, Paul Gallen, Greg Inglis, Brett Morris, Nate Myles, Josh Papalii, Corey Parker, Matthew Scott, Billy Slater, James Tamou, Brent Tate, Sam Thaiday, Johnathan Thurston
