Kangaroos coach Kevin Walters has explained his decision to not select a specialist winger in the squad for the upcoming Rugby League World Cup.
The 23-man squad was unveiled on Monday with Isaah Yeo to delay pectoral surgery and captain the team.
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Australia’s campaign begins next Thursday night against New Zealand, with the entire tournament live, free and exclusive on Seven and 7plus Sport.
Rooster premiership hero Sam Walker, one of six debutants in the squad, will be locked in a four-way battle with Cameron Munster, Tom Dearden and Mitchell Moses for a spot in the Kangaroos’ halves.
Another intriguing selection call will come at full-back with Reece Walsh and James Tedesco, fresh off his Clive Churchill Medal, both included.
But strangely there is no winger in the squad. Dolphins star Selwyn Cobbo appeared a certainty to be included after an outstanding season, but it turns out he was unavailable through injury.
Mark Nawaqanitawase and Josh Addo-Carr both played in last year’s Ashes series, but were both unavailable for selection.
“Selwyn unfortunately is injured, so he made himself unavailable for the tournament,” Walters said on The Agenda Setters: Rugby League.
“He was obviously in the selectors eyes and in everyone’s team list, but unfortunately he was injured at the back end of the season, so he made himself unavailable to play through the tournament.”
Walters highlighted Jack Bostock and Tommy Trbojevic as potential options to play on the wing.
“I think it’s really important through this period that we get guys that are a little bit flexible and can play multiple positions given the length of the tournament, and also the talents that a lot of these players have,” he added.
Walters also wouldn’t be drawn on the full-back debate between Tedesco and Walsh, saying competition for spots is healthy.
“I’m not leaning anywhere. I mean, James’ performance last night was very good,” he said.
“We’ve got the two Clive Churchill medallists in the team, the last two winners of that medal.
“So, we’re very blessed from an Australian point of view to have so many quality full-backs.
“I had no hesitation in playing Tom Trbojevic there as well. So, we’re very blessed in that position.
“We’ll get into camp and sort things out. Reece and James are two different players and they bring two different skill sets.”
Among the more notable inclusions in Walters’ squad are the returns of Tom Trbojevic and Latrell Mitchell, both of whom were denied further international caps by injury problems in recent seasons.
Mitchell’s South Sydney teammate David Fifita is also in line for his first Australian jersey after previously playing for Tonga at Test level.
But the battles for a halves berth will provide the most intriguing narrative with Moses and Munster down on form in 2026 and Walker excelling for Queensland and the Roosters.
“That’s the beauty of the Australian team is we have got some great options, and there’s no right or wrong with who we select,” Walters said earlier on Monday.
“It’s a matter of sitting down with our leaders, as well as myself and making sure we get the right people to play in the right positions.
“We took four away last year. I feel like they’re really important and key positions so we want to pick the best players in those positions to play for Australia to cover everything.”
Kangaroos squad: Bradman Best, Jack Bostock, Blake Brailey, Pat Carrigan, Lindsay Collins, Reuben Cotter, Tom Dearden, Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, David Fifita, Harry Grant, Keaon Koloamatangi, Liam Martin, Latrell Mitchell, Mitchell Moses, Cam Munster, Cam Murray, Jacob Preston, Kotoni Staggs, James Tedesco, Tom Trbojevic, Sam Walker, Reece Walsh, Isaah Yeo.
— With AAP
