Elsewhere, Jack Wighton and Valentine Holmes were fixtures at right centre and wing respectively during Tuesday’s training session with Latrell Mitchell, Josh Addo-Carr and captain James Tedesco filling out the Kangaroos’ back five.

With Reagan Campbell-Gillard laid up by a cork suffered against Italy, Jake Trbojevic, Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, Patrick Carrigan and Lindsay Collins all trained with the first-choice side, as did lock Isaah Yeo.

The middle quintet have all been named to take on Lebanon, with Cowboys pocket rocket Reuben Cotter also in the mix.

Angus Crichton will lay claim to the left-edge back-row spot with Liam Martin and Cameron Murray splitting duties on the right.

Campbell Graham has also been named in the 19-man squad but will be a reserve. While the rest of Australia’s squad ran opposition during the session, Meninga was a notable absentee through illness.

Experienced assistant coaches Michael Hagan and Adrian Lam ran the show with video footage of the session to keep Meninga informed as he rests up.

Australian officials are confident the head coach will be back on deck for the captain’s run and there is no suggestion he will be out of action for the Lebanon game.

Meninga confirmed last week that now Australia have entered the knockout stages of their World Cup defence, his rotation policy will be shelved and the best available side will run out each week.

Campbell-Gillard may yet feature in that 17 as the physios work overtime on the corked thigh that limited him to 11 minutes against the Italians.

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As for the halfback shootout that has dominated coverage of Australia’s campaign, Cleary’s ascent could see him lay claim to the playmaking role for the best part of a decade.

Both he and Cherry-Evans have handled the situation with class and formed a friendship, despite being pitted against each other for the one position.

“I knew what I was signing up for, Mal told me before I came that this would be an open competition and that I’d have to fight for a spot,” Cherry-Evans said after combining in the halves with Cleary against Italy.

“I love those competitions. I was either going to be playing for Australia [deep into the tournament] or having to be a bit selfless and do something for a young group coming through.

“Either way I’m hoping to have an impact on this World Cup. Ideally that’s on the field, but if not I’ll still help this group.”

Kangaroos squad in alphabetical order: 9. Josh Addo-Carr, 13. Pat Carrigan, 2. Daly Cherry-Evans, 14. Nathan Cleary, 15. Lindsay Collins, 16. Reuben Cotter, 17. Angus Crichton, 18. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, 19. Campbell Graham, 20. Harry Grant, 4. Valentine Holmes, 21. Liam Martin, 8. Latrell Mitchell, 7. Cameron Munster, 11. Cameron Murray, James Tedesco (c), 5. Jake Trbojevic, 10. Jack Wighton, 24. Isaah Yeo

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