Stars everywhere but Selwyn Cobbo absence headlines Kangaroos’ Rugby League World Cup squad

Latrell Mitchell will make a blockbuster return to the Kangaroos squad for the Rugby League World Cup while monster battles loom at fullback and in the halves — but Selwyn Cobbo is a surprise absence.

Outgoing coach Kevin Walters has named Clive Churchill medallist James Tedesco and Reece Walsh to fight for the No.1 jumper while Tom Dearden, Cameron Munster, Sam Walker and Mitchell Moses will all vie to partner up in Nathan Cleary’s injury-enforced absence.

Australia’s campaign begins next Thursday night against New Zealand, with the entire tournament live, free and exclusive on Seven and 7plus Sport.

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Isaah Yeo will put off surgery on his ruptured pec to captain the Kangaroos, with Liam Martin the only other Panthers player named in the squad.

“I’d only put my hand up if I thought I could contribute to the side and perform at the level that’s needed for our country and I feel like I can do that,” Yeo said.

Cobbo, who scored a hat-trick in State of Origin II and was crucial to the Dolphin’s run to the NRL preliminary finals, is out with ankle and lower back injuries, according to the Sydney Morning Herald’s Christian Nicolussi.

Tom Trbojevic has been named and is in the mix for a wing spot alongside regular centres Bradman Best, Jack Bostock and Kotoni Staggs. Australia lost the Robert Toia tug of war to Tonga.

Mitchell looms as a likely selection after missing the Ashes last year.

“He’s a big-game player. My conversations with him for the last 16 months have been nothing but positive,” Walters said.

“He’s looking forward to putting the green and gold back on and having a great tournament.”

Tedesco, skipper for the 2022 World Cup win, will back up from the Roosters’ NRL grand final success with Walker and Lindsay Collins, while Bradman Best is the only Newcastle player picked for Australia, after Kalyn Ponga switched allegiances to New Zealand.

Walters appeared to forecast Tedesco could get the first crack at fullback over Walsh.

“Is Teddy the fullback? That’s to be… but, yeah, obviously he played pretty well last night, I thought,” the coach said.

On Walsh, he said: “He’s good, I’ve been speaking to the Broncos medical staff and Reece himself — he’s ready to go. Good to see him back out on the field, he’s quite a player.”

Walters said there will be no “right or wrong” when they select the halves pairing but said it is about “making sure we’ve got the right people in the right positions”.

“For Sam (Walker) to get back (in the finals from an ankle injury) and play the way he has, we had to find a position for him in the side,” he said.

“We took four away last year, I feel like they’re really important and key positions so we want to pick the best players in those positions to cover everything. I feel like we’ve done that.”

Blayke Brailey got the nod as the second hooker, over Roosters premiership winner and NSW’s Origin-winning No.9 Reece Robson, behind long-time starter Harry Grant.

Walters, who will exit the Kangaroos to coach Super League side St Helens next year, picked the squad with selectors Cameron Smith, Boyd Cordner, Darren Lockyer and Andrew Johns.

Australian squad

Bradman Best (debut), Jack Bostock (debut), Blayke Brailey (debut), Pat Carrigan, Lindsay Collins, Reuben Cotter, Tom Dearden, Tino Fa’asuamaleuai, David Fifita (debut), Harry Grant, Keaon Koloamatangi, Liam Martin, Latrell Mitchell, Mitchell Moses, Cam Munster, Cam Murray, Jacob Preston (debut), Kotoni Staggs, James Tedesco, Tom Trbojevic, Sam Walker (debut), Reece Walsh, Isaah Yeo (captain). Shadow players: Tom Jenkins, Hamish Stewart, Ethan Strange.