The Kangaroos squad for the 2026 Rugby League World Cup has been named, with Kevin Walters picking premiership-winning halfback Sam Walker and keeping Isaah Yeo as captain.
Walters named his 23-man squad on Monday 5 October, the day after the NRL grand final, at an announcement streamed on NRL.com with Jess Skinner and ARLC chairman Peter V’Landys, where the Jillaroos squad was also unveiled. The full Kangaroos list was published by Nine.
Halves battle without Nathan Cleary
With Nathan Cleary ruled out of the tournament, Walters has picked four playmakers: Walker, Mitchell Moses, Tom Dearden and Cameron Munster. Nine reported that all four will battle for positions, leaving the halves combination open.
Walker was the halfback in the Roosters’ 19-18 grand final win over Newcastle on Sunday 4 October, having returned from surgery for a syndesmosis injury only weeks earlier, NRL.com reported.
Yeo to lead, two fullbacks picked
Panthers captain Isaah Yeo will lead the side, despite playing the back end of the NRL season with a ruptured pectoral muscle, Nine reported. Walters has also picked two specialist fullbacks in Reece Walsh and James Tedesco.
Roosters centre Robert Toia is not in the squad after he chose Tonga over Australia following the grand final. Grand final winners Daly Cherry-Evans and Reece Robson were also not among the 23 players named.
Update (7 October): Penrith forward Lindsay Smith has been called into the squad after Roosters prop Lindsay Collins was ruled out with a foot injury, Zero Tackle reported.
Kangaroos squad
- Bradman Best (Knights)
- Jack Bostock (Dolphins)
- Blayke Brailey (Sharks)
- Pat Carrigan (Broncos)
- Reuben Cotter (Cowboys)
- Tom Dearden (Cowboys)
- Tino Fa’asuamaleaui (Titans)
- David Fifita (Rabbitohs)
- Harry Grant (Storm)
- Keaon Koloamatangi (Rabbitohs)
- Liam Martin (Panthers)
- Latrell Mitchell (Rabbitohs)
- Mitchell Moses (Eels)
- Cameron Munster (Storm)
- Cameron Murray (Rabbitohs)
- Jacob Preston (Bulldogs)
- Lindsay Smith (Panthers)
- Kotoni Staggs (Broncos)
- James Tedesco (Roosters)
- Tom Trbojevic (Sea Eagles)
- Sam Walker (Roosters)
- Reece Walsh (Broncos)
- Isaah Yeo (c) (Panthers)
Shadow players: Tom Jenkins (Panthers), Hamish Stewart (Dragons), Ethan Strange (Raiders).
What’s next
Australia open the World Cup against New Zealand in Sydney on Thursday 15 October.
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