While there are only five games left of the 2025 NRL season, there are still several Kangaroos spots up for grabs.
Injuries and even an allegiance switch have really cruelled the Kangaroos and made new coach Kevin Walters’ job of picking a squad for next month’s Ashes Tour that much harder.
We run our eye over each position battle and who could play themselves into a jersey over the next two to three weeks.
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Read on for the Kangaroos contenders up for grabs in the final three weeks of the season.
FULLBACK
Incumbent: Dylan Edwards
Contenders: James Tedesco, Reece Walsh
Analysis: Fullback is one of the hardest positions to pick because there are arguably three outstanding options and it all depends on which way Kevvie Walters wants to go. Incumbent Dylan Edwards has done nothing wrong for the Kangaroos, but has been down on form for the Panthers. Yet if he leads them to a fifth title it will be hard to leave him out. James Tedesco is coming off arguably his best season ever and is the favourite to win a second Dally M Medal in Grand Final week. But Walters may want to look to the future, which would be a brutal but understandable call. The future is undoubtedly named Reece Walsh, who has lit up the competition in the final weeks of the season. If Walsh leads the Broncos to the title, a debut for the Kangaroos will be hard to deny, especially given his ties to Walters from his time as Broncos coach.
Verdict: James Tedesco (up for grabs)
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Reece Walsh could seal a Kangaroos debut.Source: Supplied
WINGERS
Incumbents: Xavier Coates and Zac Lomax
Contenders: Mark Nawaqanitawase, Josh Addo-Carr
Analysis: Incumbent Xavier Coates was brilliant for the Kangaroos last season and has had arguably the best season by a winger in the NRL in 2025. He has one spot all locked up. The other incumbent Zac Lomax was superb for Australia last year in the Pacific Championship and was strong for the Eels in 2025 albeit dipping in form from his stunning 2024 season. It would be difficult to drop Lomax, but the form of Roosters flyer Mark Nawaqanitawase, who has won the tryscorers race with 24 in 2025 could prove hard to ignore. Josh Addo-Carr is an option if injuries strike, but Nawaqanitawase looms as the bolter if the incumbents don’t hold their spots.
Verdict: Xavier Coates (locked in) and Zac Lomax (up for grabs)
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CENTRES
Incumbents: Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow and Tom Trbojevic
Contenders: Matt Burton, Kotoni Staggs, Robert Toia, Gehamat Shibasaki, Bradman Best,
Analysis: A position group decimated by injury. Incumbent Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow has been ruled out due to injury and is still weighing up a defection to Samoa in the future. Tom Trbojevic was excellent for the Kangaroos last year but he will miss the Ashes Tour because of injury. Trbojevic elected to opt out with a knee injury. Latrell Mitchell ruled himself out through injury, but centre is a position Australia is blessed with depth. Matt Burton and Kotoni Staggs loom as the Hammer’s likely replacements and a deep finals run could help their causes. Burton’s utility value will likely make him a must for the squad, but not a certainty for a spot in the 17. Robert Toia, Gehamat Shibasaki and Bradman Best would all do a fine job if injuries strike.
Verdict: Kotoni Staggs (up for grabs), Matt Burton (up for grabs)
FIVE-EIGHTH
Incumbent: Tom Dearden
Contenders: Cameron Munster, Ethan Strange
Analysis: This one is not a debate if everyone is fit, with Cameron Munster leading the Maroons to an emotional series win as captain and whether he leads the Storm to the title or not he deserves the No. 6 jersey. That is tough on incumbent Tom Dearden, who was brilliant last year and had a red hot campaign for a disappointing Cowboys side and starred at halfback for Queensland. But he could yet grab a bench spot. Raiders star Ethan Strange and Matt Burton are right in the frame to tour after great seasons for their clubs.
Verdict: Cameron Munster (locked in)
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HALFBACK
Incumbent: Mitchell Moses
Contenders: Nathan Cleary, Tom Dearden
Analysis: Incumbent Mitchell Moses was superb leading the Kangaroos to the Pacific Championship win last season and after some early injury troubles in 2025, finished the regular season as arguably the game’s best halfback. However, despite a poor Origin series, that mantle belongs to Nathan Cleary, who has led the Panthers back from the brink to on the verge of a five-peat. Cleary has only played five games for his country due to injury, but even if he doesn’t lead the Panthers all the way to the title he deserves another crack in the Kangaroos No. 7 jersey and only injury will stop him. The Kangaroos are blessed with Tom Dearden and Moses waiting in the wings if injuries strike and they could yet grab a bench spot.
Verdict: Nathan Cleary (locked in)
PROPS
Incumbents: Patrick Carrigan and Tino Fa’asuamaleaui
Contenders: Lindsay Collins, Lindsay Smith, Max King
Analysis: In a huge shake-up to the Kangaroos’ prop stocks, assumed starter Payne Haas has pledged his allegiance to Samoa so is unavailable for selection. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui was weighing up the same switch, but for the meantime, he will wear green and gold and has put his hand up for the Ashes tour. He and Patrick Carrigan are the likely starters in Walters’ best 17. Carrigan has played lock forward for the Broncos this season, but filled in at prop last year amid an injury crisis in the position, while Lindsay Collins was also excellent for the Kangaroos. Collins didn’t have his best season but performed well in the Origin arena and is tried and tested at the rep level. A couple of months ago, Max King would have been a good chance of being selected and could still be a smokey but his form has tapered off a little bit for the Bulldogs. Mitch Barnett won’t be available because of injury. He would have been fighting for a bench spot.
Verdict: Patrick Carrigan (locked in) and Tino Fa’asuamaleaui (locked in)
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HOOKER
Incumbent: Harry Grant
Contenders: Blayke Brailey, Reece Robson, Connor Watson, Ben Hunt
Analysis: Harry Grant is the incumbent Australian hooker and looks set to have a mortgage on the position for now. Reece Robson didn’t enjoy his best season for the Cowboys and was poor in the Origin decider so he might be out of the running for a spot in the Kangaroos squad. We think he’s been passed on the pecking order by Cronulla’s Blayke Brailey, who has arguably been the best No. 9 in the comp in the second half of the season. Brailey wouldn’t look out of place at this level. With the Sharks still alive in the finals, Brailey will continue to push hard for a spot on the plane in the next couple of weeks. Connor Watson’s form fell off a bit but versatility is in his favour. Ben Hunt’s strong recent form over the past month leading the Broncos around without Adam Reynolds but the veteran might be a long shot to make the squad.
Verdict: Harry Grant (locked in)
SECOND-ROWERS
Incumbents: Angus Crichton and Hudson Young
Contenders: Liam Martin, Kurt Capewell, Reuben Cotter, Jacob Preston
Analysis: Incumbents Angus Crichton and Hudson Young did a great job in last year’s Pacific Championship final and are leading the race to earn the starting edge forward spots again. Young’s form has fallen off a touch since returning from an osteitis pubis injury while Crichton’s form was down on his outstanding 2024 campaign so they aren’t locks to start but you’d think both will make the squad. Young is still alive in the finals, so there’s still an opportunity to prove to Walters that he should start on an edge in England. Liam Martin has a chance to impress further over these final three weeks of the finals and could push for a starting spot in England. Martin was ruled out of last year’s series due to injury and is a leading contender to return to the side. Jeremiah Nanai has switched allegiances to Samoa so he won’t be on the plane to England. Kurt Capewell is a reliable performer who was a big reason why the Maroons were able to clinch this year’s Origin series. He adds plenty of versatility as he’s able to play in the centres if injury strikes. Reuben Cotter isn’t a gamebreaker but he’s non-stop and proved in Origin just how valuable he is to a team. He was arguably the second best Maroon after Tom Dearden across the three games. Don’t rule out Bulldogs star Jacob Preston either, especially if he finishes the finals series strong.
Verdict: Reuben Cotter (up for grabs) and Hudson Young (up for grabs)
Hudson Young.Source: Supplied
LOCK
Incumbent: Isaah Yeo (c)
Contenders: Patrick Carrigan, Trent Loiero
Analysis: Isaah Yeo is the incumbent lock and deserves to captain the side again after leading the team to the 2024 Pacific Championship victory. Patrick Carrigan might be chosen as a prop this year. With Payne Haas now playing for Samoa, Carrigan could be asked to start in the front row for the Kangaroos. Carrigan hasn’t had his best season by his lofty standards, but he won’t be overlooked by Walters, who was his former club coach at the Broncos. Cameron Murray was able to return from an Achilles injury for the Rabbitohs for their season finale against the Roosters, but he has ruled himself out of contention in order to be in tip top shape by the start of the 2026 NRL season. Trent Loiero is a long shot but might come under consideration given his Origin series and if he is a standout in a prelim and a grand final for the Storm.
Verdict: Isaah Yeo (c) (locked in)
BENCH
Incumbents: Matt Burton, Mitchell Barnett, Reuben Cotter, Lindsay Smith
Contenders: Ethan Strange, Tom Dearden, Lindsay Collins, Angus Crichton, Ben Hunt, Reece Robson, Connor Watson
Analysis: This will be tricky for Walters. Tom Dearden has to be in the 17 somewhere and given Munster and Cleary are in the halves he will have to be the utility. However, Mitch Moses is near impossible to leave out as well given his form. Dearden has the utility value though and likely gets picked over Moses for the No. 14 jersey. Reuben Cotter is starting in the back row, while fellow incumbent Mitch Barnett is out with an ACL injury. Lindsay Smith may be unlucky to miss out, but with last year’s starters Patrick Carrigan, Lindsay Collins and Angus Crichton missing out on the starting side, they had to settle for a spot on the bench. The likes of Ben Hunt, Reece Robson and Connor Watson would all do Australia proud if injuries strike, but if everyone is fit they will struggle to crack the 17.
Verdict: Tom Dearden (up for grabs), Liam Martin (up for grabs), Lindsay Collins (locked in), Angus Crichton (up for grabs)
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INCUMBENT KANGAROOS TEAM
1. Dylan Edwards
2. Xavier Coates
3. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow
4. Tom Trbojevic
5. Zac Lomax
6. Tom Dearden
7. Mitchell Moses
8. Patrick Carrigan
9. Harry Grant
10. Lindsay Collins
11. Angus Crichton
12. Hudson Young
13. Isaah Yeo (c)
14. Matt Burton
15. Mitchell Barnett
16. Reuben Cotter
17. Lindsay Smith
PREDICTED KANGAROOS TEAM
1. James Tedesco (up for grabs)
2. Xavier Coates (locked in)
3. Tom Trbojevic (up for grabs)
4. Kotoni Staggs (up for grabs)
5. Zac Lomax (up for grabs)
6. Cameron Munster (locked in)
7. Nathan Cleary (locked in)
8. Patrick Carrigan (locked in)
9. Harry Grant (locked in)
10. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui (locked in)
11. Reuben Cotter (up for grabs)
12. Hudson Young (up for grabs)
13. Isaah Yeo (c) (locked in)
14. Tom Dearden (up for grabs)
15. Liam Martin (up for grabs)
16. Lindsay Collins (locked in)
17. Angus Crichton (up for grabs)