Big Reece Walsh hint; Latrell truth that can’t be denied — Kangaroos World Cup State of Play

State of Origin is now over, with the NSW Blues victorious and while attention quickly turns back to the NRL there is also a World Cup to be won at the end of the year.

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Some NSW Blues stars have cemented their spot in Kevin Walters’ squad, while even a few Queensland Maroons should also be picked after impressive individual performances.

But there is a lot for Walters to weigh up, starting with an intriguing three-way battle for one position.

Read on for the Kangaroos selection State of Play.

FULLBACK

Incumbent: Reece Walsh

Contenders: Dylan Edwards, Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, James Tedesco

Analysis: He may have only played limited minutes of Origin football, but Reece Walsh looks set to hold onto the Kangaroos fullback spot with coach Kevin Walters a big admirer of his ability. Able to turn a game on its head in an instant, Walsh was in sensational form for the Kangaroos in last year’s Ashes and despite his club form has likely done enough to retain the jersey, especially considering that his two biggest threats - Kalyn Ponga and Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow - will represent different nations. That is especially true when you consider Kangaroos coach Kevin Walters’ response earlier this week when asked if Walsh would be Australia’s fullback for the World Cup. “Yeah, 100 per cent,” he said. “He would certainly be right in the frame.”

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Walters later clarified in an interview with SEN Radio that Walsh is not a guarantee to be picked. “I said, at the moment, he’s obviously put himself, from what he did last year on the Kangaroo Tour, right in the selection,” Walters told SEN 1170 Drive. “(And) there’s Dylan Edwards, and James Tedesco, there’s a big scramble on there between those three at the moment for the back end of the year. Reece probably won’t play in finals, so that might be hurting a little bit, but he’s a great player, and we haven’t seen a lot of that from him this year, but I’ve got a lot of respect and I love the way he plays. But also, Edwards and Tedesco equally, they’ve got different skills, so we’re pretty blessed in that position. We’ll see what happens at the back end of the year.” There would be every reason for Walters to overlook Walsh given his up-and-down form at the Broncos, with the Brisbane fullback in some ways also a victim of Brisbane’s inconsistent season. Plus, both James Tedesco and Dylan Edwards have been in much better form after fighting it out for the Blues jersey this year. But at this stage, it sounds like Walters is leaning towards staying loyal.

Verdict: Reece Walsh

WINGERS

Incumbent: Mark Nawaqanitawase and Josh Addo-Carr

Contenders: Campbell Graham, Jack Bostock, Jojo Fifita, Josh Addo-Carr, Murray Taulagi, Selwyn Cobbo

Analysis: The Kangaroos will be forced into at least making one change to their wing with Mark Nawaqanitawase unavailable after switching to rugby union at the end of the season. To make matters worse, regular representative winger Xavier Coates has also been ruled out for the remainder of the season with an Achilles injury, leaving Australia searching for new options out wide. Selwyn Cobbo has emerged as a must-pick for Kevin Walters after a spectacular opening two matches in the 2026 Origin series and reclaiming his electric form since making the move to the Dolphins. However, the other spot is up for grabs with Jacob Kiraz and Jojo Fifita emerging as the frontrunners. Unfortunately for the Kangaroos, Kiraz is set to represent Lebanon. “Do I want to be back with Lebanon for another World Cup? One hundred per cent,” Kiraz told NRL.com. “I definitely want to play for Lebanon at the end of the year, if I get picked.” This leaves Fifita as the leading candidate to claim the vacant wing spot and partner Cobbo just like they did for the Maroons.

Verdict: Jojo Fifita and Selwyn Cobbo

CENTRES

Incumbent: Gehamat Shibasaki and Kotoni Staggs

Contenders: Bradman Best, Ethan Strange, Gehamat Shibasaki, Jack Wighton, Kotoni Staggs, Latrell Mitchell, Matt Burton, Tom Trbojevic

Analysis: Although he was overlooked by the Blues for Game III, Kotoni Staggs remains in line to retain his spot in the centres with Kangaroos coach Kevin Walters a big admirer of his talents. “I think he can have a big end of season after missing out on Origin [Game 3],” Walters said on the Kevie Walters Inside Ball podcast. While Staggs looks set to hold his place, the same cannot be said for Broncos teammate Gehamat Shibasaki who has endured a season to forget after a breakthrough campaign in 2025. This opens the door for either Latrell Mitchell or Bradman Best to force their way into the squad. If both are fit and available, Mitchell appears the more likely option due to his ability to change a game in an instant. But Best has continued to prove himself on the representative stage and would slot straight into the side if the Rabbitohs star is unavailable.

Verdict: Kotoni Staggs and Latrell Mitchell* (Bradman Best if Mitchell is unavailable)

FIVE-EIGHTH

Incumbent: Cameron Munster

Contenders: Cameron Munster, Daly Cherry-Evans, Ethan Strange, Ezra Mam, Matt Burton, Tom Dearden

Analysis: He may have had an underwhelming 2026 Origin season by his standards, but it’s hard to imagine Cameron Munster missing out on a Kangaroos jersey given his ability to produce moments of brilliance when it matters most. In what is likely to be his final World Cup campaign, the Queensland skipper has registered 14 Test appearances and will be desperate to add another international title to his name. Meanwhile, Ethan Strange and Tom Dearden remain firmly in the mix and are expected to battle it out for the utility role on the six-man bench.

Verdict: Cameron Munster

HALFBACK

Incumbent: Nathan Cleary

Contenders: Mitchell Moses, Nathan Cleary, Sam Walker, Tom Dearden

Analysis: After winning the 2026 Wally Lewis Medal, Nathan Cleary will be the first selection for the Kangaroos. However, he will face genuine competition from Roosters and Queensland halfback Sam Walker in the coming years. “Nathan has been our number one halfback for a long time, and rightly so,” Kangaroos coach Kevin Walter said. “But Sam Walker is challenging - he is certainly one who’s come into calculations. His form in the first two Origin games has been outstanding. Both players’ clubs are likely to feature in the finals, so this Origin game will have a significant bearing on some Kangaroos selections. Nathan is the incumbent and you’ve got to respect that, but Sam has made enormous strides since Origin started. That’s exactly what you want from an Australian point of view - strong competition and depth in key positions like halfback.” Obviously Cleary left no doubt he will be the pick after his standout performance in the Origin decider, so this may be more of a conversation for the future.

Verdict: Nathan Cleary

PROPS

Incumbent: Patrick Carrigan and Tino Fa’asuamaleaui

Contenders: Jackson Ford, Josh Papalii, Lindsay Collins, Lindsay Smith, Mitchell Barnett, Patrick Carrigan, Stefano Utoikamanu, Thomas Flegler, Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, Reuben Cotter

Analysis: What will Tino Fa’asuamaleaui do? The Maroons prop has continued to play for Australia despite rumours he’ll one day switch to Samoa to team up with Payne Haas in the front row. Ahead of the Ashes last year he said: “The reason I’m sticking with Australia is I feel like I have unfinished business.” It left the door open to match the switch to Samoa. If he stays with Australia for the World Cup he’ll be picked in the front row along with Patrick Carrigan given Isaah Yeo will be the lock. The pair were the starting props on last year’s Ashes tour and coach Walters has indicated he’ll stay loyal to a number of players who got the job done in England. Lindsay Collins and Lindsay Smith will challenge for bench spots along with Mitchell Barnett and Keaon Koloamatangi.

Verdict: Tino Fa’asuamaleaui and Patrick Carrigan

HOOKER

Incumbent: Harry Grant

Contenders: Api Koroisau, Ben Hunt, Blayke Brailey, Harry Grant, Mitch Kenny, Reece Robson, Max Plath, Wayde Egan

Analysis: Harry Grant will be the Australian starting hooker for the World Cup, without doubt. It will be interesting to see who is the back-up, however. Given Grant’s a lock to start, it probably rules Reece Robson out as the bench hooker, who needs to be crafty out of dummy half against tiring forwards. Ben Hunt’s time has come and gone and it’s probably the same for Api Koroisau. Contentious positions in the Australian side at the end of the year can often depend on how far a player’s team goes in the NRL premiership. Blayke Brailey, Mitch Kenny and Wayde Egan may play their way into the Aussie squad on the back of a big finals series.

Verdict: Harry Grant

SECOND-ROWERS

Incumbent: Angus Crichton and Hudson Young

Contenders: Beau Fermor, Corey Horsburgh, Dylan Lucas, Helium Luki, Hudson Young, Jacob Preston, Liam Martin, Cameron Murray, Kurt Capewell, Reuben Cotter.

Analysis: Angus Crichton won’t be available due to his defection to rugby union, but based on the Origin series he wouldn’t have made the starting side over Hudson Young and Liam Martin. The pair terrorised Queensland in the victorious decider in Brisbane and should be the Australian backrowers for the opening Test of the World Cup. Martin told of his love for partnering Young in the back row after the Origin triumph. “I love running out with Huddy, he’s a great fella and he’s like me, he just competes,” Martin said. Second-rowers gunning for a spot on the bench will be the likes of Dylan Lucas, who many felt was treated harshly after being dropped for Origin III, Jacob Preston and Reuben Cotter.

Verdict: Hudson Young and Liam Martin

LOCK

Incumbent: Isaah Yeo

Contenders: Cameron Murray, Isaah Yeo, Jake Trbojevic, Max Plath, Patrick Carrigan

Analysis: Isaah Yeo will be the captain and lock. He was sensational in leading the Blues to victory in the State of Origin decider and only injury will stop him leading out the Kangaroos in the World Cup opener. Cameron Murray’s Origin series was arguably better than Yeo’s as he came off the bench to add plenty of impact. Max Plath adds a lot of versatility which could help him force his way into the squad.

Verdict: Isaah Yeo

BENCH

Incumbent: Tom Dearden, Lindsay Collins, Reuben Cotter, Keaon Koloamatangi

Contenders: Api Koroisau, Ben Hunt, Beau Fermor, Blayke Brailey, Bradman Best, Campbell Graham, Cameron Murray, Corey Horsburgh, Daly Cherry-Evans, Dylan Edwards, Dylan Lucas, Ethan Strange, Ezra Mam, Gehamat Shibasaki, Helium Luki, Jack Bostock, Jack Wighton, Jackson Ford, Jacob Preston, Jake Trbojevic, James Tedesco, Josh Addo-Carr, Josh Papalii, Kurt Capewell, Lindsay Collins, Lindsay Smith, Matt Burton, Matt Burton, Max Plath, Mitchell Barnett, Mitchell Moses, Mitch Kenny, Reece Robson, Reuben Cotter, Sam Walker, Stefano Utoikamanu, Thomas Flegler, Tom Dearden, Tom Trbojevic, Wayde Egan

Analysis: Has Ethan Strange risen to take one of the utility bench spots? His limited Origin performances, along with the fact he went on last year’s Ashes tour, may have given him the inside running. On a six-man bench they will pick a back-up hooker and Blayke Brailey looks to be the perfect player to fill that role. The incumbents will all be in the discussion. Cotter has to at least secure a bench spot. It will be interesting to see who the bench prop is. Lindsay Collins played all three Tests in last year’s Ashes but Lindsay Smith is breathing down his neck and adds versatility with his ability to turn himself into a ball-playing lock if need be.

Verdict: Ethan Strange, Blayke Brailey, Reuben Cotter, Lindsay Smith, Cameron Murray, Tom Trbojevic

INCUMBENT KANGAROOS TEAM

1. Reece Walsh

2. Mark Nawaqanitawase

3. Kotoni Staggs

4. Gehamat Shibasaki

5. Josh Addo-Carr

6. Cameron Munster

7. Nathan Cleary

8. Patrick Carrigan

9. Harry Grant

10. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui

11. Angus Crichton

12. Hudson Young

13. Isaah Yeo (c)

14. Tom Dearden

15. Lindsay Collins

16. Reuben Cotter

17. Keaon Koloamatangi

PREDICTED KANGAROOS TEAM

1. Reece Walsh

2. Selwyn Cobbo

3. Kotoni Staggs

4. Latrell Mitchell*

5. Jojo Fifita

6. Cameron Munster

7. Nathan Cleary

8. Patrick Carrigan

9. Harry Grant

10. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui

11. Liam Martin

12. Hudson Young

13. Isaah Yeo (c)

14. Blayke Brailey

15. Cameron Murray

16. Reuben Cotter

17. Lindsay Smith

18. Tom Trbojevic

19. Ethan Strange

*If unfit, Bradman Best will replace him in the side

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