Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga opted to use both Nathan Cleary and Daly Cherry-Evans in their 66-6 win over Italy on Saturday night (local time).
The duo are battling for the starting halfback spot going into the finals with Cleary only recently making his international debut for Australia.
Against the Italians, Cleary was preferred at halfback but did at one stage swap roles with Cherry-Evans, who was deployed at five-eighth.
Both impressed in the big win as Cherry-Evans claimed four try assists and Cleary got three to his name.
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Seen by many as the likely player to make way heading into the finals, Cherry-Evans savoured another chance to play for the Kangaroos, even in a slightly different position, and is hoping he could still feature at the tournament.
"It was great to move around. A heap of freedom out there and I just enjoyed it," Cherry-Evans said post-match.
"Anytime I get the chance to play rep footy, you never know when it's your last one, so I really enjoyed tonight. I had a lot of fun playing in a star-studded side. Really proud and whatever happens, happens."
On playing alongside Cleary, Cherry-Evans added: "It was fantastic. He's a great player, he played really well again tonight and you can see why Penrith have been so strong and probably will be for a long time.
"It's obviously going to be beaten up as a competition and don't get me wrong, I want to be part of the final 17, but those decisions are out of my hands. All I could do was to just keep enjoying myself over here and I'm really proud of the two games I got to play for Australia and I'm hoping that's not the last one but if it is, we'll just see.
"I'm going to make sure I keep busy. I miss my family a lot but I'm here for a reason and that's to play some footy. I hope that's not my last game but if it is I'm here to support the team.”
🎯 Pinpoint.
— Rugby League World Cup 2021 (@RLWC2021) October 29, 2022
Valentine Holmes gets his first try of RLWC2021 thanks to a peach of a kick from Cherry-Evans!#RLWC2021 | #AUSITA | @BBCSport pic.twitter.com/a39TxzA3Mv
In just his second outing for Australia, Cleary was quite critical of his own performance post-match despite looking relatively sharp, particularly with the ball at his feet.
The Panthers star did enjoy the chance to play with Cherry-Evans though and backed his Australia teammate should he get the nod ahead of him.
"It was fun, it was actually really cool. We kinda swapped roles after halftime and just being able to see how he goes about things - he's a great organiser," Cleary said of Cherry-Evans.
"It's up to Mal. Either way it goes I think it's going to be a good option.
"I really rate Daly, I think he's a great player. I've played my two games now, just got to keep training and if I get picked it'll be great."
Meninga must now make some big calls going into the knockout stages with Lebanon looming in the quarterfinals before a possible blockbuster clash against New Zealand.
Michael Ennis praised both players for their performances to date but believes Cleary should get the nod ahead of Cherry-Evans.
"I wouldn't be surprised if Mal picks Daly Cherry-Evans at halfback and I wouldn't be surprised if he takes Nathan. They were both great tonight, great throughout the tournament," Ennis said on Fox League post-match.
"I feel personally, and I've said this publicly, that I feel like Nathan deserves that opportunity.
"He's been the elite halfback for the last two seasons at club level. He's been tremendous at Origin level. And he's been terrific in his past two games showing what he can do. His combination with Isaah Yeo I think will be vital for Australia.
"If Daly doesn't get the number seven position, it's not that he's not up to it, it's just that Nathan's playing so well. It's an Australian team, the best players should be picked for each position and that's Nathan at the moment."
