Cleary, DCE named as Mal adopts Bozo's Stuart-Langer solution

Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga is set to take a lead from his former Test mentor Bob Fulton by playing halfback rivals Nathan Cleary and Daly Cherry-Evans in the World Cup quarter-final against Lebanon.

Facing the toughest Australian halfback selection dilemma since Fulton had to choose between Allan Langer and Ricky Stuart on the 1994 Kangaroo tour, Meninga has named both Cleary and Cherry-Evans in a 19-man squad.

Rather than discarding one of the halfback greats, Fulton started Langer in the opening Ashes Test and used Stuart as a reserve before switching their roles for the second and third Tests of the series.

Meninga, who was captain of the 1994 Kangaroos, hinted that he may adopt Fulton's halfback solution after last weekend's match against Italy.

“I think Bozo picked both of them initially so I might take that trick on board and see what happens," Meninga said "I was there and it was a tough decision. I could do that."

With Ben Hunt rested after playing all three World Cup pool matches, including an 80-minute stint against Italy last weekend, Cherry-Evans appears likely to provide back up to hooker Harry Grant after spending time at dummy half during training on Tuesday. 

Cherry-Evans also trained at five-eighth during the session, with Cameron Munster moving to fullback, as a possible contingency should Australia lose captain James Tedesco during the match.

The squad, listed in alphabetical order below, includes Cherry-Evans, Cleary and Munster as halves, with Josh Addo-Carr, Jack Wighton, Campbell Graham, Latrell Mitchell and Valentine Holmes in the outside backs.

Wighton trained at right centre with Holmes on the wing, while Cameron Murray was in the second-row and Pat Carrigan at prop in the absence of Reagan Campbell-Gillard.

Campbell-Gillard wasn't named after he suffered what Meninga described as a "severe cork" while Cowboys duo Murray Taulagi and Jeremiah Nanai have also been left out of the squad along with Matt Burton and Hunt.

Australia will head into the game as heavy favourites after three strong wins in the group stage, while Lebanon overcame a first-round defeat to New Zealand to book their place in the knockout rounds with wins over Ireland and Jamaica.

"All 24 players have been outstanding so far in the tournament," said Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga. "It is extremely difficult to leave any player out.

"We have reached the knockout stages of the tournament and we need to ensure we have consistency in the squad and in the positions.

"Lebanon are a very good side and we expect a strong and creative performance from them."