Toa Samoa have named Ronald Volkman at five-eighth for their Rugby League World Cup semi-final against Australia, replacing injured playmaker Chanel Harris-Tavita.
The official team announcement moves the story beyond the uncertainty following Samoa’s loss to Tonga. Harris-Tavita’s hamstring injury has forced a change, with Volkman selected after coming off the bench in that match.
Deine Mariner also returns on the interchange following the hamstring injury he suffered against France in the opening round.
Benaiah Ioelu has been named to start at hooker, with Jazz Tevaga on the bench. NRL.com notes that those roles could change before kick-off, as they did against Tonga.
For Samoa, the selection question now becomes how the revised combinations handle a knockout match against Australia. Naming the team provides clarity, but the final line-up still needs checking on match day.
The semi-final takes place at Allianz Stadium in Sydney on Sunday 8 November, kicking off at 7.05pm Brisbane time.
