Australia Names Squad

Penrith star Isaah Yeo was named captain for Australia's Rugby League World Cup title defence, which starts on October 15. Yeo will delay pectoral surgery to lead the team out in their group stage opener against New Zealand on October 16.

Latrell Mitchell returns to the squad after a long absence due to a debilitating nerve injury. He is set for his first Kangaroos appearance since the 2022 World Cup final, where he scored a double in Australia's 30-10 victory over Samoa.

Coach Kevin Walters included six debutants in the 23-man squad, saying he is happy with the balance of the team. Walters also noted that the tournament will be a huge test, with a significant amount of talent spread across the top nations.

Other notable returns to the squad include James Tedesco, who earned a recall after leading the Sydney Roosters to Australia's National Rugby League title, and Manly outside back Tom Trbojevic.

The squad will compete in a slimmed-down tournament featuring 10 teams, with Australia in Group A alongside New Zealand, Fiji, and the Cook Islands. England headlines Group B, while Tonga, Papua New Guinea, and France fill out Group C.

Mitchell Barnett was overlooked for the Kangaroos' Rugby League World Cup campaign, despite having an outstanding year with the Warriors. Barnett was to the fore for both the Warriors throughout the NRL season and for the winning New South Wales side in this season's State of Origin series.

Former Warriors fullback Reece Walsh is included in Australia's World Cup squad. The tournament kicks off on October 15 and runs until November 15 in Australia, New Zealand, and Papua New Guinea.