Martin's redemption call: Predicted Kangaroos team

Liam Martin is set to pull on an Australian jersey for the first time in three years at Rugby League World Cup 2026 and the Kangaroos enforcer has unfinished business against the Kiwis.

After missing last year’s Ashes Series in England due to the birth of his first child and being forced out of the 2024 Pacific Championships by injury, Martin’s most recent memory of playing for the Kangaroos is a record 30-0 loss to New Zealand in 2023 - and it’s one he wants to change.

“My last game for Australia was against New Zealand when they beat us over there, so I want to get back in that arena and sort of get one back against them,” the star second rower said.

“They always have been one of our biggest rivals and they are going to have a very strong side at the World Cup, so we are going to have to be at the top of our game to take them on.”

The Kangaroos and Kiwis kick off the World Cup in a heavyweight opening clash on October 15 at Allianz Stadium that is expected to draw the biggest Test crowd in Sydney for almost two decades.

With Hudson Young injured and Angus Crichton switching codes at the end of the NRL season, Martin is set to be one of the first forwards selected for Australia and he is counting down the days.

“When you get to pull on the green and gold jersey with your name on the back, it's so special,” Martin said. “It reminds you of all the sacrifices that your family made to get you to this stage, and you get to make them proud, but you are also playing for everyone in Australia.

“You’ve got the weight of the whole nation on your back, and it's a pretty special feeling.”

The four-time premiership winner is set to be joined in the Kangaroos team by Panthers team-mates Isaah Yeo, Nathan Cleary and Dylan Edwards, who is locked in a three-way battle for the No.1 jersey with James Tedesco and Reece Walsh.

Another superstar fullback, Kalyn Ponga, has switched his international allegiance to New Zealand, whose are set to field what many believe could be the best Kiwis team of all time, led by Martin’s former Penrith team-mate James Fisher-Harris.

The Panthers trio of Moses Leota, Isaiah Papali’i and Casey McLean will also be key players for the Kiwis, who last year won the Pacific Cup for the second time since 2023.

While the Kiwis backline appears largely settled, coach Stacey Jones faces some massive selection headaches in choosing his forward pack and the likes of Erin Clark, Naufahu Whyte and Xavier Willison are likely to start on the interchange.

The biggest selection issues facing Kangaroos coach Kevin Walters are wing and who partners Martin in the second row, with Jacob Preston, Dylan Lucas and David Fifita among the contenders.

However, Walters could also switch Cameron Murray, who missed the Ashes Series while recovering from an Achilles injury, into the second row, while Reuben Cotter played there for Queensland during State of Origin.

“When you are playing at that level you want to play against the best, so I am really looking forward to playing the Kiwis and all of those other nations,” Martin said.

“I played at the last World Cup in England in 2022 and that was a great experience so I can't even begin to imagine what it's going to be like to play at home in front of some awesome Australian crowds.

“I had my partner and mum over in England but just the amount of support we will have here from family, friends and the whole nation will be pretty special, and it would be awesome if we can lift the trophy in front of them.”