Nearly a third of the Kangaroos’ 23-man squad are debutants, with new coach Kevin Walters picking seven uncapped players for the upcoming Ashes Tour, headlined by electric fullback Reece Walsh.
Nathan Cleary and Cam Munster didn’t feature in last year’s Pacific Championships due to injury, but are available for the UK and they’ve been tasked with leading the Kangaroos around the park.
A Bulldogs star was unlucky to miss out, while a Panthers gun has been picked in the squad but is set to be demoted.
Watch every game of the NRL Telstra Premiership Finals Series before the Grand Final, LIVE with no ad-breaks during play on Kayo Sports | New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1.
Here are the biggest winners and losers following the Kangaroos squad announcement.
WINNERS
TOM DEARDEN
Following his stellar Origin series and heroics in Queensland’s Game III win, Dearden would have punched his ticket to the UK for the Ashes Tour.
He was a touch quiet to end the season where as Eels star Mitch Moses was arguably the best playmaker in the NRL over the final six weeks of the regular season.
Because of this, Moses is considered a slight chance of winning the Kangaroos’ No. 14 jersey, but Dearden’s versatility ensures his spot.
Barring injury to starting halves Cam Munster and Nathan Cleary, Dearden will begin on the bench for the first game of the series.
A trick up Kevin Walters’ sleeve, Dearden will cause havoc on some tired England forwards whenever he’s injected into the game.
MORE GRAND FINAL NEWS
‘ABSOLUTE FREAK’: Walsh explodes as Broncos stun Storm to end title drought
‘TACKLE HIM’: Bellamy’s Walsh admission as Storm fail to learn in GF heartbreaker
‘PLUMBER OUT’: Walsh’s hilarious moment as superstar wins Clive Churchill Medal
Walsh & Loiero face two different fates | 00:42
REECE WALSH
Walsh has not only earned a spot in the squad, but it’s been reported that he is the first choice fullback with Dylan Edwards set to back him up.
Walters has decided to give his former club No.1 the first crack at fullback on the back of a scintillating finals series and Clive Churchill Medal win.
Walsh was simply awesome as the Broncos went undefeated in the finals to win their first comp in 19 years.
Without Walsh, Brisbane simply don’t get it done. Instead, their season would have ended in Canberra three weeks ago.
Walsh has represented Queensland on a handful of occasions, but this will be the first time he pulls on the green and gold.
Reece Walsh stamoed his call-up in the Broncos’ Grand Final win. Source: Getty Images
MARK NAWAQANITWASE
You would have been able to write your own ticket for the former Wallaby being picked by the Kangaroos just over 12 months after switching codes.
Selection in the 23-man squad is a huge reward for what was a stunning rookie year.
He simply had to be picked given his form for the Roosters, leading the league in tries and winning Dally M Winger of the Year.
While it doesn’t appear he’ll be in Walters’ first choice 17, if Nawaqanitwase does feature in any of the three games, he’ll be the first man since Karmichael Hunt in 2017 to represent Australia in rugby union and rugby league.
There was some chatter that Nawaqanitawase might be snubbed from the Australian side, given he’s already announced he’s returning to rugby union at the end of next season, but thankfully, common sense prevailed and he earned a much deserved Kangaroos nod.
Kangaroos Announcement - Full Presser | 09:36
JACOB PRESTON
Another one of the potential debutants, Jacob Preston earnt his Kangaroos bow on the back of a brilliant season for the Bulldogs in 2025.
It may not have ended how they would have hoped with a straight sets finals exit, but the Bulldogs led the comp early in the season and Preston was a big reason why.
Preston played 22 games in 2025 finishing with 12 tries, 12 linebreaks, three linebreak assists, three try assists, 63 tackle busts and 814 tackles in a superb season.
The quality back-rower is one of the best line runners in the NRL and he will only be better with the likes of Nathan Cleary and Cameron Munster inside him for the Kangaroos.
Back row is a position Australia is blessed in, so Preston might have to bide his time, but he thoroughly deserves his squad position and won’t let anyone down when he is called upon.
Walsh's second half domination | 05:27
GEHAMAT SHIBASAKI
The best comeback story in rugby league in 2025 gets even better with Broncos centre Gehamat Shibasaki going from park footballer to Maroons and Kangaroos representative in the space of 12 months.
Shibasaki was signed by the Broncos to a train and trial deal and earnt an $80,000 contract for 2025, but he has turned out to be the buy of the season.
The hard running centre debuted for the Maroons in their Origin series win earlier this season, before helping the Broncos to a stunning premiership win to come from nowhere for Kangaroos selection.
The late bloomer played 25 games for the Broncos in 2025, scoring 18 tries to go with 24 linebreaks, seven linebreak assists, six try assists and 113 tackle busts in a stunning season.
His performance in the Grand Final now doubt sealed the deal, as he finished with 186 metres, seven tackle busts, three linebreaks and two crucial tries in the Broncos’ comeback win.
Gehamat Shibasaki capped the biggest comeback story of the year in style. Source: The Courier-Mail
BLAYKE BRAILEY
Harry Grant is the best hooker in the game, but there is no doubt Blayke Brailey is hot on his heels after his best season of first grade in 2025.
The Sharks skipper has been close to an Origin debut for a couple of seasons and that will likely come next year after his maiden Kangaroos call-up.
The iron man hooker played 27 games for the Sharks in 2025 scoring three tries to go with four linebreaks, 11 linebreak assists, 14 try assists, 31 tackle busts and a whopping 1220 tackles.
Brailey beat Grant to the Dally M hooker of the year after the Storm star was suspended, but he thoroughly deserves all his accolades after a superb season for Cronulla.
His leadership played a large part in the Sharks’ late season surge to the preliminary final and he won’t let anyone down if called upon to give Grant a breather on the Ashes tour.
KEAON KOLOAMATANGI
One of the bolters for the squad after not playing Origin this year, but plenty of experts believe Koloamatangi could have made a big difference for the Blues in their series loss.
Koloamatangi had a brilliant season for Souths despite their horror campaign that was marred by a historic casualty ward.
Wayne Bennett transformed Koloamatangi into a front-rower this season and his versatility no doubt helped him earn his maiden Kangaroos call-up.
Koloamatangi played 20 games for Souths in the engine room scoring four tries to go with three linebreaks, four linebreak assists, two try assists, 54 tackle busts, 3061 run metres and 662 tackles.
He could be the perfect bench player for the Kangaroos, given he can cover almost everywhere in the pack and he can provide a point of difference off the pine if called upon by Walters.
Broncos' sheds ERUPT after comeback! | 13:55
KOTONI STAGGS
Staggs is no stranger to the Kangaroos after starring in three Tests in 2023, but he is back in Australian colours after missing last year’s Pacific Championships.
The Broncos centre has also played three Tests for Tonga and while the unavailability of Latrell Mitchell, Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow and Tom Trbojevic no doubt worked in his favour, he still thoroughly deserves his recall.
Staggs had his best NRL season in 2025, playing 24 games and scoring 12 tries to go with a whopping 26 linebreaks, seven linebreak assists, six try assists and 113 tackle busts.
The knock on Staggs in the past is that he can be the best centre in the game on his day, but struggles for consistency, but he found that in 2025.
He was a big reason the Broncos made a charge at a stunning premiership in 2025 and he will likely start in Walters’ backline, despite not playing Origin this season.
ETHAN STRANGE
Ricky Stuart picked Ethan Strange to make the Kangaroos earlier in the season and it has come to fruition on the back of a stunning campaign from the young five-eighth.
Strange was a big reason why the Raiders shook up the NRL world order by charging to a stunning minor premiership in 2025.
Unfortunately, the Raiders went out of the finals in straight sets, in part because Strange missed their semi-final loss to the Sharks through illness, but they still had a superb season to earn Stuart Dally M coach of the year honours.
Strange played 24 games, scoring 14 tries to go with 17 linebreaks, eight linebreak assists, 12 try assists and 88 tackle busts.
Walters may have picked him as a development player, but don’t be surprised if he earns a debut off the bench in the Ashes and he wouldn’t let anyone down if called upon.
Walsh details epic turnaround in form | 18:04
LOSERS
MATT BURTON
Matt Burton wore the No.14 jersey in the Kangaroos’ win over Tonga in 2024, but has lost his spot despite a strong campaign for the Bulldogs.
Teammate Jacob Preston earnt a call-up, but there was no space for Burton with Dearden the preferred utility.
There’s an argument the Dogs five-eighth has the ability to play more positions than his Cowboys counterpart, having previously played representative football in the centres.
The 25-year-old can also play in the halves and at hooker and lock at a push, while Dearden is yet to showcase his skills in the outside backs.
Burton’s individual campaign in club land was arguably his best to date in the five-eighth role, however he was unable to inspire his side to a deep finals run.
He could have also been considered in the centre role, with Walters instead opting for specialist outside backs to fill those spots.
Incumbent Matt Burton was snubbed. Source: Getty Images
TRENT LOIERO
Trent Loiero had his best season in the NRL in 2025 to earn a maiden call-up for the Maroons in their 2-1 series win over the Blues.
The workhorse lock was a big part of the Storm’s charge to the Grand Final and may have got a Kangaroos nod if they were able to get over the line against the Broncos.
Loiero played 25 games in 2025, scoring four tries to go with three linebreaks, 2534 run metres, 27 tackle busts and 893 tackles.
The 25-year-old missed out due to the fact he is behind skipper Isaah Yeo and Patrick Carrigan in the pecking order, but one feels his time will come to represent the Kangaroos in the future.
REECE ROBSON
Reece Robson was the Blues hooker in all three Origin games, but ultimately paid the price for the Cowboys’ poor season in 2025.
The tireless hooker played 21 games, scoring two tries to go with four linebreaks, three linebreak assists, five try assists, 24 tackle busts and 879 tackles in 2025.
But with Harry Grant a lock and Blayke Brailey the Dally M hooker of the year, there just wasn’t room for a third hooker in the Kangaroos squad.
Robson will no doubt take his game to greater heights when he joins the Roosters next season, but his Kangaroos debut will depend on injuries to the two ahead of him at this stage.
"Just weren't good enough on the night" | 08:27
COREY HORSBURGH
Given his work for the minor premiership winning Raiders in 2025, Corey Horsburgh wouldn’t have looked out of place in a Kangaroos jersey this season, but he just fell short.
Horsburgh played 25 games in 2025, scoring two tries to go with 48 tackle busts, 3303 metres and 855 tackles to be one of the leaders of the Raiders pack.
He was unlucky to miss out on a second Maroons call-up in 2025 and ultimately probably paid the price for the Raiders’ finals fade-out.
But Horsburgh deserves an Australian call-up in the future and will no doubt push for selection in the years to come.
BEN HUNT
Ben Hunt was part of the Kangaroos squad last year, but missed selection on the bench in favour of Matt Burton, who also missed the 2025 Ashes squad.
Hunt has never let Australia down in 15 Tests for his country, but at 35 it appears his days in Kangaroos colours are over unless injuries strike.
Hunt played 21 games for the Broncos in 2025, scoring two tries to go with two linebreaks, 10 linebreak assists, nine try assists and 27 tackle busts, but it wasn’t enough to earn him a Kangaroos recall.
However, the versatile Broncos star won’t mind too much after capping his remarkable career with a premiership for the Broncos in 2025.
Broncos Stun Storm to Win Premiership | 15:41
MAX KING
Max King had his best season in the NRL in 2025 to earn a maiden Origin call-up for the Blues in their 2-1 series loss to the Maroons.
King played 23 games for the Bulldogs this season, running for a whopping 3048 metres to go with 754 tackles, 32 tackle busts, two linebreaks and two tires.
The workhorse front-rower was a big part of the Bulldogs’ push to a top four finish, but the fact they went out in straight sets in the finals probably hurt his chances.
The Kangaroos are blessed with front rowers, but if King continues to improve, a debut for his country might not be far away in the future.
KANGAROOS SQUAD
Isaah Yeo (c – Panthers), Blayke Brailey (Sharks), Patrick Carrigan (Broncos), Nathan Cleary (Panthers), Lindsay Collins (Roosters), Xavier Coates (Storm), Reuben Cotter (Cowboys), Angus Crichton (Roosters), Tom Dearden (Cowboys), Dylan Edwards (Panthers), Tino Fa’asuamaleaui (Titans), Harry Grant (Storm), Keaon Koloamatangi (Rabbitohs), Zac Lomax (Eels), Mitchell Moses (Eels), Cameron Munster (Storm), Mark Nawaqanitawase (Roosters), Jacob Preston (Bulldogs), Gehamat Shibasaki (Broncos), Lindsay Smith (Panthers), Kotoni Staggs (Broncos), Ethan Strange (Raiders), Reece Walsh (Broncos), Hudson Young (Raiders)
[SRC] https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/nrl-2025-kangaroos-winners-and-losers-reece-walsh-gehamat-shibasaki-matt-burton-snubbed-squad-australia-vs-england-ashes-tour-kevvie-walters/news-story/a04d90acda3bb878772d808ddf060c33
