Walker was born in England in 2002 because his father Ben Walker was playing with Leeds Rhinos at the time, so it was no surprise that England coach Brian McDermott reached out. Thanks but no thanks, was the reply.<\/p>\n
Know the news with the 7NEWS app: Download today Arrow<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cI was obviously honoured to have a chat but I knew where I wanted to play,\u201d Walker said.<\/p>\n \u201cI wanted to represent Australia and my family This is where I am from. I know my family would have killed me if I\u2019d played for anyone else. I am absolutely stoked to be wearing these colours.\u201d<\/p>\n Walker will play alongside five-eighth Tom Dearden in the halves at Suncorp Stadium on Sunday night, rebooting a family connection that goes back almost 50 years and a playing connection that started at Brisbane when they were both in the Broncos Academy.<\/p>\n \u201cTom\u2019s mum Andrea grew up two doors down from my grandmother\u2019s house in Toowoomba and we went to the same school at St Mary\u2019s College,\u201d Ben Walker told AAP.<\/p>\n \u201cTom\u2019s uncle Don Saunders was a bit older but he was the captain of the Toowoomba Clydesdales side that won the first Queensland Cup in 1996.\u201d<\/p>\n Sam Walker believes it was almost fate that he and Dearden should line up together for their country.<\/p>\n \u201cWe have almost grown up together. Our families have known each other for a very long time and we came through Broncos pathways together,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s great to be able to be in camp with him and enjoy his company first and foremost and now to be able to play alongside him.<\/p>\n \u201cHe is a great footballer and a great competitor and I can\u2019t wait to see what he brings to the team. I\u2019m sure our combination will work really well.\u201d<\/p>\n Walker\u2019s rise over the past two seasons has been a tribute to his ability to cope with adversity. This year he had a stellar State of Origin series debut for Queensland and won the NRL title with Sydney Roosters after fighting his way back in record equalling time from a syndesmosis injury.<\/p>\n Winning the World Cup would top it all off.<\/p>\n \u201cA couple of years ago I had an ACL and I worked so hard to get back and play NRL,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cI had a clear goal at the start of this year how I wanted the year to go and I\u2019ve ticked a few of the boxes so far and there is one more I want to tick.<\/p>\n \u201cBreaking the (selection) news to the family and seeing how excited they were, it is a real honour and the pinnacle of rugby league to represent the country I am so proud of. It is so special.<\/p>\n \u201cI am already learning so much from these great players. I can\u2019t wait for the next few weeks.\u201d<\/p>\n One of those great players in Walker\u2019s club is skipper James Tedesco, who will captain the Kangaroos from his familiar fullback position.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s awesome to have Teddy in camp as well. He\u2019s such a great leader and I can\u2019t wait to run out behind him,\u201d Walker said.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Australia to debut fab four against Fiji in World Cup<\/p>\n 2 min read<\/p>\n![\"Sam](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/b64f9bb27460212cbeeca0c12a62f2dac960e956.jpg\")
Sam Walker will debut for the Kangaroos after having knocked back England. Credit: AAPBe the first to know: Add 7NEWS as your preferred news source on Google![\"Google](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/1792543334_17_google-icon.84c242a8..png\"){kind=icon}
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