Rugby League World Cup 2026 best 19s: Australia

Australian Kangaroos head coach Kevin Walters has raised eyebrows with his squad for the 2026 Rugby League World Cup, with a group not particularly well balanced.

The eyebrow-raising selections of Latrell Mitchell and Tom Trbojevic could prove a masterstroke, but could also end in tears, while Isaah Yeo is set to play through a ruptured pectoral muscle.

Long-term halfback Nathan Cleary is also out, while there is a two-way race for the fullback jumper between James Tedesco and the returning Reece Walsh, who is only just back to full fitness.

The squad features more than half of the group who haven't played since the opening week of the NRL finals or before, but it's Walters' depth on the wings with the biggest questions.

Jack Bostock is the only member of the squad who played a game on the wing this year - that being the State of Origin decider. There are no specialist wingers in the 23-man group, although Bostock, now a centre, has spent plenty of time there previously and will almost certainly debut against New Zealand on October 15.

Here is how the Kangaroos line up at full strength ahead of their games against New Zealand on October 15 in Sydney, Fiji on October 25 in Brisbane and the Cook Islands on October 31 in Townsville.

Full squad

Bradman Best, Jack Bostock, Blayke Brailey, Patrick Carrigan, Lindsay Collins, Reuben Cotter, Tom Dearden, Tino Fa'asuamaleaui, David Fifita, Harry Grant, Keaon Koloamatangi, Liam Martin, Latrell Mitchell, Mitchell Moses, Cameron Munster, Cameron Murray, Jacob Preston, Kotoni Staggs, James Tedesco, Tom Trbojevic, Sam Walker, Reece Walsh, Isaah Yeo

Australia v Samoa - Rugby League World Cup Final — MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 19: James Tedesco of Australia in actio during the Rugby League World Cup Final match between Australia and Samoa at Old Trafford on November 19, 2022 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images for RLWC)

Fullback

Reece Walsh and James Tedesco have both been named for the tournament, and while Kevin Walters is a noted fan of Walsh, there is only one way he can go with his selection here.

Tedesco has been the form fullback of the NRL season even at his age, and just took out the Clive Churchill Medal.

There may be a role for Walsh during the tournament, but Tedesco must be the first preference, even considering Walsh is the incumbent.

Wingers

The wing is the biggest question mark for the Kangaroos - there are no players in the squad who played there full-time during 2026.

In fact, you could pretty easily make the argument that Jack Bostock and Tom Trbojevic are the only two players who have the ability to play there.

They are a deadly wing combination with plenty of height and speed, but it's a real concern, especially given Trbojevic's injury past.

If there is a problem, then you'd have to assume either Bradman Best or Latrell Mitchell are going to be asked to slide out wide.

Centres

At first glance, you'd potentially be considering Bradman Best and Latrell Mitchell as your centres, but the issue here is that they are both left-side players.

Kotoni Staggs is the specialist right-side centre in the squad and so should gain selection to the team for Kevin Walters.

The other position is a coin toss, but on raw explosive power and ability to flip a game, as well as the fact he can slide to fullback if need be, it's tough to overlook Mitchell.

The next 17: New South Wales State of Origin 2024 'A' team — SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 22: Latrell Mitchell of the Rabbitohs runs the ball during the round three NRL match between Sydney Roosters and South Sydney Rabbitohs at Allianz Stadium, on March 22, 2024, in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

Halves

Four playmakers in a 23-man squad potentially show Kevin Walters' lack of ease around his squad with Nathan Cleary missing due to an ankle injury.

Sam Walker, after a strong finals series and excellent performance for Queensland at Origin time, is likely to slide into the number seven jumper ahead of Mitchell Moses, while Tom Dearden could also line up there.

Dearden will get some game time throughout the tournament, but is also likely to be overlooked for the starting side, with Cameron Munster almost certain to be the five-eighth.

Walters would be making a fairly major call to change both of his incumbent halves at full strength.

Middle forwards

The middle third group has plenty about it for the Kangaroos, although a lot will hinge on the role Isaah Yeo plays.

It has been said ad nauseam by everyone bar the representative coaches, but Yeo is ultimately a prop at representative level.

Given Patrick Carrigan and Tino Fa'asuamaleaui are also in the team, it means the Queensland duo should be starting in the number 8 and 10 jumpers, while the best lock in the game, Cameron Murray, should run out and start in that role.

Lindsay Smith (who has replaced the injured Lindsay Collins), Reuben Cotter and Keaon Koloamatangi are the other options, with the Kangaroos having enough depth in the middle.

"I think this should be the last one": Freddy left firing over 'short' Carrigan ban — BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA - JULY 13: Patrick Carrigan of the Maroons runs the ball during game three of the State of Origin Series between the Queensland Maroons and the New South Wales Blues at Suncorp Stadium on July 13, 2022, in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

Hooker

A two-way race has emerged for the dummy half role, although in truth, it's more of a one-way race.

Harry Grant is the Queensland and Australian incumbent, and as much as you could mount the argument that he wasn't the best hooker in the game during 2026, he isn't about to lose his starting job for the Kangaroos.

Blayke Brailey will have a role to play through the tournament, and maybe even in the big games, but if Grant stays fit, it won't be in the big games.

Edge forwards

On the edge, the Kangaroos had some injury issues leading up to the tournament, namely that of Hudson Young, while Angus Crichton, who was the other incumbent from last year's Ashes series, has departed for rugby union.

It means Liam Martin and Jacob Preston are in the squad, alongside Reuben Cotter and David Fifita, who is a chance to make his Kangaroos depth.

While Martin and Preston are both predominantly left-side second-rowers, they both can play on the right and should form the starting combination, although Fifita is a tantalising prospect.

Interchange

With Brailey overlooked for the starting side, he claims the first bench spot, while Isaah Yeo is the other obvious one.

Reuben Cotter is also a shoo-in for a bench role with his forward pack versatility.

The other forward spot now goes to Keaon Koloamatangi ahead of David Fifita, with Lindsay Collins ruled out with a foot injury. Lindsay Smith comes into the squad, but doesn't feature in the 19.

We expect two backs on the bench alongside the first quartet, with Tom Dearden's versatility likely to see him selected. Reece Walsh edges out Bradman Best for the other spot.