Kevin Walters has been given a major boost heading towards the Ashes series, with one star forward opting to pledge his allegiance to the Kangaroos.
It has been a tricky initiation to the Australian head coaching job for Walters, who has already lost a host of key players for the year-end tour of England.
After incumbent prop Payne Haas committed to Samoa, the injury headaches have started to pile up with the likes of Latrell Mitchell and Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow ruled out.
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The absence of Haas is a major one for the Aussies, who are lacking genuine options in the middle of the field in what looms as a tough three-game series.
However, according to Nine’s Michael Chammas on 100% Footy, there is one man who is keen to pull on the green and gold jumper for the first time.
“It’s a big win for Australia – Keaon Koloamatangi has informed the Kangaroos that he’s made himself available for that end-of-season Ashes series in England,” he said.
“It’s massive considering there is a shortage in the middle with Payne Haas going and Tino Fa’asuamaleaui not yet deciding where he’s going.
“Keaon will be playing for Australia if he’s picked, which I’d imagine he will be.
“He was impressive for the Rabbitohs this year, arguably their best player.”
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Koloamatangi is seen as one of the game’s best forwards and has the ability to cover a variety of roles, but representative honours have been few and far between thus far.
The 27-year-old played one State of Origin game for NSW two years ago and has also represented Tonga on 10 occasions, including at the last World Cup in 2022.
Keaon Koloamatangi in action against Australia last year Getty
However, this time around, Koloamatangi has thrown his hat in the ring to play for the Aussies after being born and bred in Sydney, then coming through the ranks from a young age with the proud Mascot Jets club and into the Rabbitohs junior rep system.
While the hulking Bunnies forward has made his decision, Chammas was quizzed if a deadline had been set by those at the NRL regarding other players.
“I don’t think there’s a set date, but I think the ARL are sending out letters to clubs and wanting medical information on players,” he said.
“They’ve got to give an indication whether or not they’re gonna be picked.
“Everyone is pretty respectful that if they’re not gonna play and they’d rather play for Tonga or Samoa, they will let the ARL know.”
Broncos legend Darren Lockyer pointed out two stars eligible for multiple nations still needed to make a decision in regards to the Ashes.
Kotoni Staggs Getty
“I think there’s a lot of players who are gonna wait until the end of the season to make their decisions,” he said.
“Kotoni Staggs is another one and Tino – his season is already over, but I’d assume that he has to make a decision pretty quickly.”
Staggs has played for both Australia and Tonga in the past, while Fa’asuamaleaui has played seven games for the Kangaroos and made one appearance for Samoa.
The series between Australia and England kicks off on Sunday, October 26 (AEST) at the iconic Wembley Stadium in London.