Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga had “sleepless nights” in the lead-up to making the big decision on who will play halfback for Australia going forward.

Both Nathan Cleary and Daly Cherry-Evans have had an opportunity to impress Meninga, who revealed to Fox League on Thursday that the Panthers star has won the race.

Meninga told reporters that Cherry-Evans was “disappointed” by the news but it was a “tough” decision he had to make.

“I’ve had some sleepless nights, that might be why I’m so crook at the moment,” he said per 9 News.

“But at the end of the day you’ve got to make those tough decisions and you’ve got to try and do it for the right reasons.

“It’s hard to explain to the person that’s missed out what that reason is. He was obviously disappointed and that’s what you want him to be but you just never know with this tournament do you?

“Nath’s the frontrunner at the moment and we’re hoping he takes it.”

While Cherry-Evans has missed out on the halfback role, the veteran playmaker will be included on the bench in Australia’s quarterfinal with Lebanon as cover.

Cleary is battling an illness, while James Tedesco and Cameron Munster are carrying niggly injuries.

Meninga also revealed it’s Cleary’s combination with Penrith teammates Isaah Yeo and Liam Martin helped him win the jersey.

“It’s his jersey now so it’s the start of his career in rep footy, well certainly playing for Australia and I’d like to see him have it for a long period of time,” he said.

“Nathan working with Isaah and ‘Marto’, that sort of swung it towards Nathan.”

Yeo will line up at lock for the Kangaroos and Martin will start in the second row.