Greg Inglis has warned Australia to avoid ‘having their pants pulled down’ by Fiji when the two teams meet at Langtree Park on Saturday.
The Kangaroos are hot favourites in the betting odds to beat Fiji and lift the World Cup trophy at the end of November. They got their tournament up and running with a hard-fought 28-20 win over hosts England.
Tim Sheens has made seven changes to the side that came away from Cardiff with two competition points as he makes full use of his touring party.
Forwards Boyd Cordner and Josh Papalii will make their Test debuts, while centres Josh Morris and Michael Jennings also start alongside winger Jarryd Hayne and scrum-half Daly Cherry Evans. Nate Myles is given a run-out at lock.
Inglis will stand in for full-back Billy Slater, who is completely rested along with Brett Morris, Brent Tate, Sam Thaiday and Greg Bird. Paul Gallen and Cooper Cronk have been named in the 19 but are unlikely to play in St Helens.
The Fijian line-up features a few familiar faces in the likes of Petero Civoniceva and Akuila Uate, who scored a hat-trick as the islanders started their tournament with a 32-14 victory over Ireland.
Much like fans who watch live rugby online, Inglis knows just what to expect after seeing Fiji at their brutal best. He has told the Kangaroos to be on their guard.
“They’re going to be a tough, physical side, they always have been,” said the South Sydney Rabbitohs man.
“It’s not going to be an easy one. They really bashed each other on Monday night. We know we’re in for a big physical game.
“Fiji are a side with all the tricks. They can pull our pants down if we don’t show up and get ready to play.”
