Nathan Cleary and Tom Dearden were quizzed on the Kangaroos\u2019 halves selection headache when arriving at camp on Tuesday, with one man being tipped to have a \u201clock\u201d on the No.7.<\/p>\n
Australian coach Kevin Walters included five playmakers in his squad for the upcoming Ashes tour, with Cleary and Dearden joined by Mitchell Moses, Ethan Strange and Cameron Munster.<\/p>\n
Moses and Dearden are the incumbent pairing and they steered the Kangaroos to victory in the 2024 Pacific Championships.<\/p>\n
Watch every game of the 2025 Pacific Championships LIVE on FOX LEAGUE, available on Kayo | New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1<\/a>.<\/p>\n WHAT’S GAMBLING REALLY COSTING YOU? Set a deposit limit. For Free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au.<\/p>\n Cleary, meanwhile, hasn\u2019t featured at international level since the 2022 World Cup final but Dearden was still confident the Panthers superstar will get first crack at halfback.<\/p>\n \u201cNo, I haven\u2019t been told anything. Got the call to come into camp and be involved in the squad, so we will see what happens,\u201d Dearden said when asked if he\u2019d been told where he would feature.<\/p>\n \u201cI think it\u2019s just awesome to be apart of the squad and I think Nath (Cleary) has probably got a good lock on the No.7 jersey.<\/p>\n \u201cI think it\u2019s just exciting to be able to come into camp and be alongside some of the best players in the world and hopefully go over to England and take the Ashes.\u201d<\/p>\n ‘Nath has a good lock on the 7 jersey’ | 01:56<\/p>\n Dearden was also pressed on whether the fact he steered Queensland to an Origin victory earlier this year could see him leapfrog Cleary in the halfback ranks.<\/p>\n The Cowboys gun replaced veteran Daly Cherry-Evans after the series opener, which led to the Maroons winning the final two games in a comeback win for the ages.<\/p>\n \u201cI played a lot of footy with those guys, and looking forward to hopefully playing alongside Nathan and some of the other boys that I haven\u2019t either,\u201d Dearden said.<\/p>\n \u201cYou look at Origin, it\u2019s a team game. It wasn\u2019t halfback against halfback or anything like that.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen you get into this camp and come together it\u2019s all our main goal to bring the Ashes back home.\u201d<\/p>\n Cleary was also asked about the \u201cguys trying to get your No.7 jersey\u201d and the star halfback was confident he will benefit from being apart of a strong squad.<\/p>\n Reece Walsh arrives at the Kangaroos team hotel.Source: News Corp Australia<\/p>\n \u201cI think it\u2019s awesome, I am really looking forward to rubbing shoulders with those guys and getting to learn off each other,\u201d Cleary said.<\/p>\n \u201cUltimately it will make us all better, it\u2019s a great opportunity.\u201d<\/p>\n Elsewhere, Dylan Edwards and Reece Walsh are also locked in a battle for the fullback position, with the Panthers No.1 the incumbent after strong performances in last year\u2019s Pacific Championships.<\/p>\n Walsh, however, had a barnstorming finish to his 2025 NRL campaign, which resulted in a drought-breaking Broncos premiership.<\/p>\n The Brisbane superstar played a huge role in all of his side\u2019s comeback finals victories, reeling in deficits against the Raiders, Panthers and ultimately the Storm.<\/p>\n ‘So excited to see Kev’ Walsh joins Roos | 02:01<\/p>\n MORE GRAND FINAL NEWS<\/p>\n 10 SUPER LEAGUE STARS FOR NRL: Forgotten Test flyer, Broncos, Dragons guns<\/a><\/p>\n CRAWLS: Five NRL contenders for history-making Aussie; bolter Kevvie MUST pick<\/a><\/p>\n