Kangaroos coach Kevin Walters has declared that finals form will be a huge factor in World Cup selections, boosting the prospects of a recall for former captain James Tedesco and Test debuts for Sam Walker and Tom Jenkins.
In the lead up to the most anticipated World Cup since the first tournament in France in 1954, RLWC2026.com will give fans the chance to choose their teams.
The Kangaroos then play Fiji at Suncorp Stadium on October 25 and Cook Islands at Queensland Country Bank Stadium in Townsville on October 31.
Among the most difficult decisions facing Walters will be which player wears the No.1 jersey for Australia.
Broncos superstar Reece Walsh forced his way into the Australian team for last year’s Ashes series in England after a stunning run of form during the NRL finals to spearhead Brisbane to their first premiership in 20-years.
Walsh is likely to be included in Australia's World Cup squad but with the Broncos out of finals contention he won’t get the chance to push his case.
In contrast, Tedesco – the Roosters fullback - and Penrith’s Dylan Edwards are set to have an influence on the premiership fortunes of the NRL’s ladder leading teams.
Tedesco was the Kangaroos captain at the last World Cup in 2022, lifting the trophy at Old Trafford after Australia beat Samoa, but the Roosters star lost the Australian and NSW Origin No.1 jerseys to Edwards in 2024.
Australia-eligible players tries of the week!
“We should have a strong squad, but a lot can happen between now and the end of the year, of course,” Walters said.
“The team isn’t selected until the Monday after the grand final so we could have all the plans in the world about what the team looks like but my experience in coaching rugby league is that things can change very quickly so we have just got to identify which players are available and want to play for Australia.
“We will put our work into those guys and hopefully a lot of them will be playing at the back end of the year in the finals.
"We have seen so many players in the last 10 years force their way into the Australian side on the back of their form in the finals series.
Match: Australia v New Zealand
Round 1 -
home Team
Australia
away Team
New Zealand
Venue: Allianz Stadium, Sydney
“There are two or three factors that go into selecting the side – State of Origin and their previous history in the jersey - but what is probably most important is the back end of the season and how these players perform in the finals series.”
Those words will be welcomed by the likes of Walker - the in-form Roosters halfback, who starred in his first Origin series for Queensland – and Jenkins, the unheralded Panthers winger who is closing in on Dave Brown’s record of 38 tries in a premiership season.
Cronulla playmaker Nicho Hynes, who played for Australia in the 2023 Pacific Championships, has also been in top form as the Sharks make a charge for the top four.
Match: Australia v Fiji
Round 2 -
home Team
Australia
away Team
Fiji
Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
In good news for Walters, Kangaroos captain Isaah Yeo does not require surgery for a pectoral muscle injury and is expected to return for the Panthers during the NRL finals, while Rabbitohs centre Latrell Mitchell is on track to make his comeback after a long lay-off caused by a back injury.
“It is probably going to be one of the best tournaments ever as far as competitiveness among all of the nations,” Walters said.
“Australia has always been dominant but that is changing, and it is going to be a really tough tournament.”
Match: Australia v Cook Islands
Round 3 -
home Team
Australia
away Team
Cook Islands
Venue: Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville
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Rugby League World Cup 2026 returns to Australia, New Zealand, and Papua New Guinea. Where nations clash, heroes rise, and legends are forged. 3 World Cups. 26 Teams. The World’s Best. Tickets are now on sale from $19. Don’t miss the pinnacle of global Rugby League.
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